How long do I need to quarantine after exposure to COVID-19?
A 14-day quarantine after an exposure to COVID-19 remains the gold standard. If you can quarantine for the full 14 days, this is the safest option for you and those around you.
You may discontinue quarantine at the following timeframes only if you are always able to do the following, including at your place of employment/education, though Day 14:
- Consistently wear a mask
- Practice social distancing
- Practice good hand and cough hygiene
- Environmental cleaning and disinfection
- Avoid crowds
- Adequate indoor ventilation
Quarantine can end after Day 10 without testing if no symptoms have developed during daily monitoring. Daily symptom monitoring must continue through Day 14.
Quarantine can end after Day 7 ONLY if the result of a COVID-19 test on day 6 or later is negative and if no symptoms developed during daily monitoring. The test must be completed within 48 hours of the end of Day 7. A pending test result on Day 7 is not enough. Daily symptom monitoring must continue through Day 14. Refer to local community testing sites for this option. Currently, Gundersen Health System is not offering asymptomatic testing in this situation.
If symptoms develop at any time, even after having a negative test, you should isolate and call your primary care provider or our Telephone Nurse Advisor to set up testing.
For questions regarding quarantine durations, reach out to your local public health office.
