Return to Work Criteria for HCP with SARS-CoV-2 Infection – The following are criteria to determine when HCP with SARS-CoV-2 infection could return to work and are influenced by severity of symptoms and presence of immunocompromising conditions. After returning to work, HCP should self-monitor for symptoms and seek re-evaluation from occupational health if symptoms recur or worsen.
If symptoms recur (e.g., rebound) these HCP should be restricted from work and follow recommended practices to prevent transmission to others (e.g., use of well-fitting source control) until they again meet the healthcare criteria below to return to work unless an alternative diagnosis is identified.
HCP with mild to moderate illness who are not moderately to severely immunocompromised could return to work after the following criteria have been met:
- At least 7 days have passed since symptoms first appeared if a negative viral test* is obtained within 48 hours prior to returning to work (or 10 days if testing is not performed or if a positive test at day 5-7), and
- At least 24 hours have passed since last fever without the use of fever-reducing medications, and
- Symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath) have improved.
*Either a NAAT (molecular) or antigen test may be used. If using an antigen test, HCP should have a negative test obtained on day 5 and again 48 hours later HCP who were asymptomatic throughout their infection and are not moderately to severely immunocompromised could return to work after the following criteria have been met:
At least 7 days have passed since the date of their first positive viral test if a negative viral test* is obtained within 48 hours prior to returning to work (or 10 days if testing is not performed or if a positive test at day 5-7).
*Either a NAAT (molecular) or antigen test may be used. If using an antigen test, HCP should have a negative test obtained on day 5 and again 48 hours later HCP with severe to critical illness who are not moderately to severely immunocompromised could return to work after the following criteria have been met:
- At least 10 days and up to 20 days have passed since symptoms first appeared, and
- At least 24 hours have passed since last fever without the use of fever-reducing medications, and
- Symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath) have improved.
- The test-based strategy as described below for moderately to severely immunocompromised HCP can be used to inform the duration of work restriction.
The exact criteria that determine which HCP will shed replication-competent virus for longer periods are not known. Disease severity factors and the presence of immunocompromising conditions should be considered when determining the appropriate duration for specific HCP.
Use of a test-based strategy (as described below) and consultation with an infectious disease specialist or other expert and an occupational health specialist is recommended to determine when these HCP may return to work.
Test-based strategy HCP who are symptomatic could return to work after the following criteria are met:
- Resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications, and
- Improvement in symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath), and
- Results are negative from at least two consecutive respiratory specimens collected 48 hours apart (total of two negative specimens) tested using an antigen test or NAAT.
HCP who are not symptomatic could return to work after the following criteria are met:
Results are negative from at least two consecutive respiratory specimens collected 48 hours apart (total of two negative specimens) tested using an antigen test or NAAT.
How long am I contagious after testing positive for Covid?
If you recently tested positive for COVID-19, you might be wondering how long you’re able to get others sick. You are most infectious (or contagious) in the first 5 days after your symptoms start. You can also spread COVID-19 in the 48 hours before your symptoms start. If you never have symptoms, consider yourself most infectious in the 5 days after you test positive.
Can I return to work with a COVID cough?
Identifying the risk of contracting COVID-19 in the workplace – People with COVID-19 may be infectious for up to 10 days. The risk of infection with COVID-19 depends on many factors. These include:
- Whether the exposure was indoors or outdoors (the risk is lower for outdoor settings).
- The amount of time spent with a COVID-19 positive person (the risk is lower with less time spent together).
- How close a person is to an infected person (the risk is lower with distanced interactions).
- If either the exposed person or the infected person were wearing masks (the risk is lower if they were both wearing masks).
- The infectiousness of the case. People are most infectious in the 2 days before symptoms start, and while acute symptoms are present (runny nose, sore throat, cough and fever). If the person has not had symptoms, they should be considered infectious from 48 hours before they had their first positive test.
- If there has been other transmission of COVID-19 from a person at the workplace. Transmission indicates that the person with COVID-19 was infectious when they attended.
Will I test positive after recovering from Covid?
Can someone test positive to COVID-19 even though they are no longer infected? – Sometimes, people can get a positive COVID-19 test result even though they no longer have COVID-19. This is because people with COVID-19 have infected cells in their body that release the virus into the environment through breathing, sneezing or coughing, or through their faeces and urine.
Am I still contagious after 5 days?
Healthcare Workers Important update: Healthcare facilities CDC has updated select ways to operate healthcare systems effectively in response to COVID-19 vaccination. Ending Isolation and Precautions for People with COVID-19: Interim Guidance CDC’s recommendations do not apply in healthcare settings, such as hospitals and nursing homes.
Instead, healthcare settings should continue to use and continue to follow CDC’s infection prevention and control recommendations for healthcare settings. This page is intended for use by healthcare professionals who are caring for people in the community setting under isolation with COVID-19. For more information for the general population in the community, please see,
These recommendations do not apply to in the healthcare setting, and do not supersede state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations. For healthcare settings, please see and, For more details, including details on certain non-healthcare settings, please review,
Updated guidance reflects new recommendations for isolation and precautions for people with COVID-19. Removed Assessment for Duration of Isolation and Key Findings From Transmission Literature sections so page provides most current information.
People who are infected but asymptomatic or people with mild COVID-19 should isolate through at least day 5 (day 0 is the day symptoms appeared or the date the specimen was collected for the positive test for people who are asymptomatic). They should wear a mask through day 10. A may be used to remove a mask sooner. People with or COVID-19 should isolate through at least day 10. Those with severe COVID-19 may remain infectious beyond 10 days and may need to extend isolation for up to 20 days. People who are should isolate through at least day 20. Use of serial testing and consultation with an infectious disease specialist is recommended in these patients prior to ending isolation.
For people who are with SARS-COV-2 infection and not moderately or severely immunocompromised:
Isolation can be discontinued at least 5 days after symptom onset (day 0 is the day symptoms appeared, and day 1 is the next full day thereafter) if fever has resolved for at least 24 hours (without taking fever-reducing medications) and other symptoms are improving. Loss of taste and smell may persist for weeks or months after recovery and need not delay the end of isolation. A high-quality mask should be worn around others at home and in public through day 10. A may be used to remove a mask sooner. If symptoms recur or worsen, the isolation period should restart at day 0. People who, including children < 2 years of age and people of any age with certain disabilities, should isolate for 10 days. In certain high-risk congregate settings that have high risk of secondary transmission, CDC recommends a 10-day isolation period for residents.
For people who test positive, are asymptomatic (never develop ) and not moderately or severely immunocompromised:
Isolation can be discontinued at least 5 days after the first positive viral test (day 0 is the date the specimen was collected for the positive test, and day 1 is the next full day thereafter), A high-quality mask should be worn around others at home and in public through day 10. A may be used to remove a mask sooner. If a person develops within 10 days of testing positive, their 5-day isolation period should start over (day 0 changes to the first day of symptoms). People who, including children < 2 years of age and people of any age with certain disabilities, should isolate for 10 days. In certain high-risk congregate settings that have high risk of secondary transmission, CDC recommends a 10-day isolation period for residents.
For people who are and not moderately or severely immunocompromised:
Isolation and precautions can be discontinued 10 days after symptom onset (day 0 is the day symptoms appeared, and day 1 is the next full day thereafter).
For people who are and not moderately or severely immunocompromised:
Isolation should continue for at least 10 days after symptom onset (day 0 is the day symptoms appeared, and day 1 is the next full day thereafter). Some people with severe illness (e.g., requiring hospitalization, intensive care, or ventilation support) may remain infectious beyond 10 days. This may warrant extending the duration of isolation and precautions for up to 20 days after symptom onset (with day 0 being the day symptoms appeared) and after resolution of fever for at least 24 hours (without the taking fever-reducing medications) and improvement of other symptoms. Serial testing prior to ending isolation can be considered in consultation with infectious disease experts.
For people who are (regardless of COVID-19 symptoms or severity):
patients may remain infectious beyond 20 days. For these people, CDC recommends an isolation period of at least 20 days, and ending isolation in conjunction with serial testing and consultation with an infectious disease specialist to determine the appropriate duration of isolation and precautions. The criteria for serial testing to end isolation are:
Results are negative from at least two consecutive respiratory specimens collected ≥ 24 hours apart (total of two negative specimens) tested using an antigen test or nucleic acid amplification test. Also, if a moderately or severely immunocompromised patient with COVID-19 was symptomatic, there should be resolution of fever for at least 24 hours (without the taking fever-reducing medication) and improvement of other symptoms. Loss of taste and smell may persist for weeks or months after recovery and need not delay the end of isolation. Re-testing for SARS-CoV-2 infection is suggested if symptoms worsen or return after ending isolation and precautions.
If a patient has persistently positive nucleic acid amplification tests beyond 30 days, additional testing could include molecular studies (e.g., ) or viral culture, in consultation with an infectious disease specialist. For the purposes of this guidance, moderate to severely immunocompromising conditions include, but might not be limited to, those defined in the interim clinical considerations for people with due to a medical condition or receipt of immunosuppressive medications or treatments.
Other factors, such as end-stage renal disease, likely pose a lower degree of immunocompromise, and there might not be a need to follow the recommendations for those with moderate to severe immunocompromise. Ultimately, the degree of immunocompromise for the patient is determined by the treating provider, and preventive actions should be tailored to each patient and situation.
As of January 14, 2022
Updated guidance to reflect new recommendations for isolation for people with COVID-19. Added new recommendations for duration of isolation for people with COVID-19 who are moderately or severely immunocompromised.
As of September 14, 2021
Combined guidance on ending isolation and precautions for adults with COVID-19 and ending home isolation webpages. Included evidence for expanding recommendations to include children. Edited to improve readability
As of February 18, 2021
Some severely immunocompromised persons with COVID-19 may remain infectious beyond 20 days after their symptoms began and require additional SARS-CoV-2 testing and consultation with infectious diseases specialists and infection control experts.
As of February 13, 2021
Added new evidence and recommendations for duration of isolation and precautions for severely immunocompromised adults. Added information on recent reports in adults of reinfection with SARS-CoV-2 variant viruses.
As of February 18, 2021
Some severely immunocompromised persons with COVID-19 may remain infectious beyond 20 days after their symptoms began and require additional SARS-CoV-2 testing and consultation with infectious diseases specialists and infection control experts.
Updates as of July 20, 2020
A test-based strategy is no longer recommended to determine when to discontinue home isolation, except in certain circumstances. Symptom-based criteria were modified as follows:
Changed from “at least 72 hours” to “at least 24 hours” have passed since last fever without the use of fever-reducing medications. Changed from “improvement in respiratory symptoms” to “improvement in symptoms” to address expanding list of symptoms associated with COVID-19.
For patients with severe illness, duration of isolation for up to 20 days after symptom onset may be warranted. Consider consultation with infection control experts. For persons who never develop symptoms, isolation and other precautions can be discontinued 10 days after the date of their first positive RT-PCR test for SARS-CoV-2 RNA.
Updates as of July 17, 2020
Symptom-based criteria were modified as follows:
Changed from “at least 72 hours” to “at least 24 hours” have passed since last fever without the use of fever-reducing medications Changed from “improvement in respiratory symptoms” to “improvement in symptoms” to address expanding list of symptoms associated with COVID-19
Updates as of May 29, 2020 Added information around the management of persons who may have prolonged viral shedding after recovery. Updates as of May 3, 2020
Changed the name of the ‘non-test-based strategy’ to the ‘symptom-based strategy’ for those with symptoms. Added a ‘time-based strategy’ and named the ‘test-based strategy’ for asymptomatic persons with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19. Extended the home isolation period from 7 to 10 days since symptoms first appeared for the symptom-based strategy in persons with COVID-19 who have symptoms and from 7 to 10 days after the date of their first positive test for the time-based strategy in asymptomatic persons with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19. This update was made based on evidence suggesting a longer duration of viral shedding and will be revised as additional evidence becomes available. This time period will capture a greater proportion of contagious patients; however, it will not capture everyone. Removed specifying use of nasopharyngeal swab collection for the test-based strategy and linked to the, so that the most current specimen collection strategies are recommended.
Updates as of April 4, 2020
Revised title to include isolation in all settings other than health settings, not just home.
: Healthcare WorkersAm I still contagious after 7 days?
Advice for recovered cases who are significantly immunosuppressed – If you are significantly immunosuppressed, you are more likely to be infectious for longer than 7 days and may still be able to spread the virus. Follow these measures until day 14 following your positive test result to further reduce any remaining risk of spreading the virus.
not enter high-risk settings, including hospitals, residential aged care facilities or residential disability services
this does not apply if you need to access urgent medical care, or are a resident in one of these settingsif you need to access medical care, inform the treating facility that you have recently tested positive for COVID-19 and are immunosuppressed
wear a face mask whenever you’re in an indoor public placeavoid using public transportpractise COVID Smart behaviours, like maintaining good hygiene, mask wearing and physical distancing.minimise contact with anyone who is at higher risk of severe illness if infected with COVID-19,
Am I still contagious if I test negative?
You may need to get tested even if you do not have symptoms. You can have COVID-19 and spread it to others even if you do not have symptoms. Your COVID-19 test can be negative even if you are infected. Most people do not test positive for the virus until days after exposure.
How long to test negative after COVID?
At least 5 days.
Am I still contagious after 10 days if I have a cough?
How long is the common cold contagious? – The cold can be spread for up to two weeks, including before symptoms even appear. In fact, you will have the ability to spread the cold virus to others for a few days before your symptoms begin. That’s why we see it “go through” households.
Can you get Omicron twice?
The Omicron variant spreads easier than other variants of coronavirus, and people can get it twice. Reinfection is possible even if a person has already had this virus or is fully vaccinated. Several factors can influence reinfection, such as age, geographic location, and health equity.
How long is Omicron contagious?
If I Have COVID-19, How Long Am I Contagious? – According to the CDC, if you have mild to moderate COVID-19, you may be contagious for 10 days from the first day you noticed symptoms. If you were severely affected or critically ill from COVID-19, you may stay infectious for up to 20 days from the start of your symptoms.
How long do Omicron symptoms last?
How long do omicron symptoms last? Most people who test positive with any variant of COVID-19 typically experience some symptoms for a couple weeks. People who have long COVID-19 symptoms can experience health problems for four or more weeks after first being infected, according to the CDC.
Can I test positive one day and negative the next?
Unfortunately, yes—it is possible.
How long does a COVID sore throat last?
How long does a COVID-19 sore throat last? Most symptoms of COVID-19 last anywhere from several days to 2 weeks. But this can vary from person to person. COVID sore throat usually starts feeling better after a week, though it may take a little longer to completely go away.
When can I stop isolating?
When to stay at home – Children and young people with mild symptoms who are otherwise well, can continue to attend their education setting. Mild symptoms include a runny nose, sore throat, or slight cough. Children and young people who are unwell and have a high temperature should stay at home and avoid contact with other people, where they can.
How long is COVID infectious?
Children and young people aged 18 years and under who have a positive test result – It is not recommended that children and young people are tested for COVID-19 unless directed to by a health professional. If a child or young person has a positive COVID-19 test result they should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 3 days after the day they took the test, if they can.
Why am i still coughing after COVID?
A cough helps you to clear your lungs and throat. As you get better from COVID you might have a dry cough that lasts for a long time. This can develop into a cycle. Coughing can make you breathe through your mouth and change your breathing pattern. This allows dry cold air to enter the throat and lungs quickly. 
If you follow the advice on this page, it should help you stop coughing. Return to Top Remember that your cough will be better on some days, worse on other days and at different times of the day. If you do this breathing exercise, it will help you to control your cough:
Practise breathing normally Feel your stomach push out and move back as you breathe in and out Breathe through your nose to start with Do this for a short time and often during the day until it is a habit Practise this breathing exercise when you do gentle activities if you can
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How long are you contagious with COVID-19?
Children and young people aged 18 years and under who have a positive test result – It is not recommended that children and young people are tested for COVID-19 unless directed to by a health professional. If a child or young person has a positive COVID-19 test result they should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 3 days after the day they took the test, if they can.
How long is Covid contagious who?
By the 10th day after COVID symptoms begin, most people will no longer be contagious, as long as their symptoms have continued to improve and their fever has resolved. People who test positive for the virus but never develop symptoms over the following 10 days after testing are also probably no longer contagious.
Am I still contagious after 10 days if I have a cough?
How long is the common cold contagious? – The cold can be spread for up to two weeks, including before symptoms even appear. In fact, you will have the ability to spread the cold virus to others for a few days before your symptoms begin. That’s why we see it “go through” households.
When do you stop being contagious with a cold?
You can spread the common cold from a few days before your symptoms appear until all of the symptoms are gone. Most people will be contagious for up to 2 weeks. Symptoms are usually worse during the first 2 to 3 days, and this is when you’re most likely to spread the virus.