Returning to Work After a Positive COVID Test

If you receive a positive COVID-19 test result, it’s advised to either follow your primary care provider’s instructions or if you’re not being cared for by a provider to visit the CDC website for more information concerning returning to work after a COVID positive test result. 

CDC Guidance for Health Care Personnel (HCP): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-risk-assesment-hcp.html

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 the 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 on the CDC website for moderately to severely immunocompromised HCP can be used to inform the duration of work restriction.