Testing positive for COVID-19 can make anyone feel nervous. Knowing what to do when you get a positive test result is important for your health and the health of people around you. The first thing to know is that you should do the same things whether you are fully vaccinated, partially vaccinated, or unvaccinated.
Since Oregon is currently experiencing a large number of COVID-19 cases, it is straining case investigation and contact tracing resources. This means you may not receive a phone call from your health department after you test positive.
Here’s what to do if you have COVID-19:
Stay home and stay separate from others.
- If you have symptoms you can be around others after:
- You have no fever for 24 hours without the use of medicine, AND
- Your symptoms improve, AND
- At least 10 days have passed since your first symptoms.
- If you don’t have symptoms you can be around others after:
- 10 days have passed since your test, and you have no symptoms.
- Tell your close contacts right away so they can isolate and stop the spread.
Tell your close contacts right away
The sooner you let anyone you came in close contact with before your diagnosis know, the sooner they can take action to stop the spread, including quarantining if not fully vaccinated.
- If you had or have symptoms: Contact the people you were in close contact with beginning 2 days before your symptoms began.
- If you did not or do not have symptoms: Contact the people you were in close contact with beginning 2 days before you took your COVID-19 test.
If you need help you can :
- Call your local public health department if you need support to isolate.
- Call 211 for information on vaccinations, testing, and other resources
- Call your health care provider if you’re concerned that your symptoms are not improving.
- Call 911 if you have these severe symptoms:
- Difficulty breathing
- Pain or pressure in the chest or belly
- Unable to drink or keep liquids down
- New confusion or inability to wake up
- Bluish lips or face
Read more about how to isolate or quarantine here. If you would like support or resources in multiple languages you can visit OHA’s Safe + Strong website, or call the Safe + Strong Helpline at 1-800-923-HELP (4357).
The feelings of grief, loss and loneliness that we may have right now are normal. The loss of each of our loved ones is painful and the impacts ripple outward. We are also mourning and handling many other kinds of losses.
SHiNA 