COVID-19 Exposure Guidelines for Employees
- Precautions
- When to Test
- When to End Precautions
- Other Actions/Test Access/Reporting
- Other Resources
Exposed to COVID-19 regardless of vaccination status or previous COVID-19 infection
Precautions
Isolation and Quarantine Calculator | Washington State Department of Health
Day 0 is day of last known exposure
- Wear a high-quality mask (e.g., N95 or KN95) for 10 full days after exposure.
- Watch for symptoms of COVID-19 for 10 full days after exposure.
- Do not go to places where you are unable to wear a mask.
- Take general public health precautions, especially when symptomatic.
- Take extra precautions if you will be around people who are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19.
When to Test
- If you have symptoms, get tested immediately.
- If you have NO symptoms, get tested at least five full days after your last exposure (Day 6).
Additionally:
- If you have positive test results, isolate immediately and follow:
- If you have negative test results and no symptoms, repeat test after 24-48 hours
(If negative, repeat again in 24-48 hours—minimum of three tests with last test no earlier than Day 6) - If you have a negative test with symptoms, repeat test after 24-48 hours
(Isolate immediately. If negative, repeat again in 24-48 hours—minimum of two tests with last test no earlier than Day 6) - If you had COVID-19 within the last 90 days, see specific testing recommendations
When to End Precautions
- Continue precautions for 10 full days after Day 0 exposure.
Other Actions/Test Access/Reporting
- Isolate and get tested immediately if symptoms occur after exposure.
- If test is positive begin isolation immediately—see Isolation Guidelines for COVID-19.
Resources:
- COVID-19 test access
- Get Four Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests
Order free COVID-19 at-home tests through the United States COVID.gov/tests website. Tests may show "expired" dates on the box, but the FDA has extended those dates; see the full list of extended expiration dates. - Most private insurances cover a certain number of at-home tests.
- Available at most local pharmacies.
- Get Four Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests
- If you test positive (reporting)
- If you test positive, please report your positive (or negative) COVID-19 status at the following link. The process takes approximately 2-3 minutes.
Say Yes! COVID Test Digital Assistant
Reporting to the State of Washington is a way for public health entities to know the incidence and prevalence of COVID-19 in the state. It is also a way for the state to provide supports when and where needed.
- If you test positive, please report your positive (or negative) COVID-19 status at the following link. The process takes approximately 2-3 minutes.