You’ve had a close contact or positive test

When you’ve tested positive or have Covid-19 symptoms, stay away from others to stop the virus from spreading.

Close contact

If you’ve had close contact, or potential exposure, with someone who has tested positive or is sick with Covid-19, lower the risk of your spreading the virus in case you have it. Follow these steps for testing and mask wearing.

Not feeling sick but tested positive

If you don’t develop symptoms but tested positive for Covid-19, stay home and away from others for 5 days, starting from when you first tested positive.

Test again on day 5 or later, preferably with a rapid antigen test. If your test is:

• Negative, you can leave home
• Positive, stay home until you test negative or until 10 days have passed since you first tested positive, whichever comes first

You should wear a mask any time you have to be around others for 10 days, starting from when you first tested positive.

For those unable to get tested again, or who choose not to, stay home and away from others for 10 days from when you first tested positive.

Feeling sick but haven’t tested yet

If you have symptoms but haven’t yet tested for Covid-19, you should stay home and away from others until you get tested. Test as soon as possible.

You should wear a well-fitting mask any time you have to be around others.

If unable to test, stay home and away from others for 10 days from when you first started feeling sick.

If you use a rapid antigen test within the first 1 or 2 days of feeling sick and it’s negative:

• Continue to stay away from others
• Test again 1 or 2 days later

If the 2nd test is also negative but you’re still feeling sick, consider staying home until you feel better.

If you test positive at any time while feeling sick, no matter what kind of test, follow the steps for when you feel sick and test positive.

Feeling sick and tested positive

If you have symptoms and tested positive for Covid-19, stay home and away from others for 5 days, starting from when you first felt symptoms.

After 5 days, you can leave home only if:

• You have no fever
• Your symptoms are getting better
• You test negative for COVID-19 on day 5 or later, preferably with a rapid antigen test

Otherwise, you can leave by day 10 as long as you have no fever and your symptoms are getting better. You do not have to take a test again.

You should wear a well-fitting mask any time you have to be around others for 10 days, starting from when you first felt symptoms.

Get treated for Covid

You may be eligible for Covid medicines if you are at high risk of severe illness. Find out how to get early treatment.

How to safely stay away from others

Stay in a room by yourself and use a bathroom no one else uses, if you can.

When you have to be around others, or if you don’t have your own room, wear a mask and have others wear a mask around you. Stay 6 feet apart at all times.

Open windows and doors if it's safe to do so. The virus builds up indoors, so you’ll want to bring in as much fresh air as possible.

If you share a bathroom:

• Turn on fans that pull air out of the bathroom
• Open windows
• Wear a mask
• Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
• Wipe down anything you touched with a disinfectant

Do not prepare or serve food to others. Keep your own set of utensils, plates, towels, bedding, or other household items. Do not share them. Have people leave meals for you.

Limit your contact with pets.

Follow personal hygiene and cleaning tips for staying healthy during the coronavirus pandemic.

For medical help

Most people with Covid-19 do not need to be hospitalized. For questions about your symptoms, call your doctor, if you have one.

These are emergency warning signs that you need urgent medical help:

• Trouble breathing
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion
• Inability to wake or stay awake
• Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone

If you have these symptoms, call 911 and tell them you have Covid-19.

For help safely staying away from others

Call the COVID Resource Center at 628-652-2700 if you are:

• Unhoused or experiencing homelessness
• Needing help with food. You’ll be connected with Meals on Wheels if you can’t get help through commercial delivery services or others.

A nurse will evaluate anyone requesting a room. People who have tested positive and are at high risk of severe illness or death from Covid have priority.

If you don't reach a person, leave a message.

Do not call to report a positive result on an at-home test.

You can also call 211 for help with other services, including mental health support.

If you tested positive and need financial help, you may be able to get funds from Right to Recover. This program gives a one-time payment to low-wage workers.

Find other COVID-19 services and resources from the City and County of San Francisco.

Return to work

If your employer asks for written proof that you can go back to work after your time of isolation, the San Francisco Department of Public Health has this general letter you can use.

Health officer directives

The San Francisco Health Officer Directives on isolation and quarantine are being updated consistent with the guidance on this page and will be published online soon.