Home Isolation Instructions for People with COVID-19 Infection
If you live in San Luis Obispo County and you tested positive for COVID-19, you are required to follow this Health Officer order to isolate yourself immediately, follow the instructions below, and remain in isolation until your isolation order ends.
Note: Isolation is different from quarantine. Quarantine is for individuals who have been exposed to COVID-19. Isolation is for individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19
STEP 1: Isolate (Stay Home) |
COVID-19 is very contagious. If you test positive for COVID-19, you must self-isolate to prevent spreading the disease to your family, friends, and community. This means you must stay home and separate yourself from others until your isolation order ends.
While in quarantine, you must not leave your home, even if you feel well. Do not let delivery persons or visitors inside your home.
If you live with other persons:
If someone delivers something at your home, ask them to leave the delivery at your door, if possible. Pick them up after the person has left. If you need to answer the door:
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STEP 2: Tell your close contacts to quarantine for up to 14 days |
If you test positive for COVID-19, notify your close contacts that they could be infected and need to quarantine themselves at home, even if they feel well and do not have symptoms. Give them the home quarantine instructions. Definition of a Close Contact A “close contact” is any of the following people who were exposed to you while you were infectious*:
*A person with COVID-19 is contagious 2 days before their first symptoms appear until they are no longer required to be self-isolated. A person with a positive COVID-19 test but no symptoms is contagious from 2 days before their test was taken until 10 days after their test.
If you do not feel comfortable telling your close contact that you have tested positive for COVID-19, fill out this form with their information for local contact tracers.
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STEP 3: Monitor your health |
* This list is not all possible symptoms. Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you. Call 911 or call ahead to your local emergency facility: Notify the operator that you are seeking care for someone who has or may have COVID-19.
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STEP 4: Complete the duration of your isolation period |
You can be with others after
If you had severe illness from COVID-19 (you were admitted to a hospital and needed oxygen), your healthcare provider may recommend that you stay in isolation for longer than 10 days after your symptoms first appeared (possibly up to 20 days), and you may need to finish your period of isolation at home. I tested positive for COVID-19 but had no symptoms If you continue to have no symptoms:
I had COVID-19 or I tested positive for COVID-19 and I have a weakened immune system If you have a weakened immune system (immunocompromised) due to a health condition or medication, you might need to stay home and isolate longer than 10 days. Please contact Public Health at (805) 781-5500 and ask for the Nurses’ Line. Request Release from Isolation Documentation Does your employer or school require documentation or a letter showing that you have completed your isolation period? You may request documentation of your release from isolation by filling out this form. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I still have questions? |
For more information about isolation, please visit the CDC Isolation page. More information is also available at the California Department of Public Health website. Call your medical provider for any questions related to your health. |
Why did I receive a text message instead of a phone call? |
The Public Health Department is currently experiencing a surge in new COVID-19 cases that has outpaced our contact tracing resources. In order to respond quickly and effectively to reduce further spread of the virus, we are notifying individuals by text message rather than a phone call. We are counting on our residents to follow the steps above to protect themselves, their family, friends, co-workers, and community. |
Will I be getting an isolation order or letter? |
If you received a text notification to isolate, you will not receive any further documentation from the Public Health Department. However, if you need documentation of your isolation order, you may submit a request online. |
Do I need to isolate if my test result is "Presumptive Positive"? |
Yes, and you need to get retested as soon as possible. Remain in isolation while waiting for your retest results. You may end your isolation if your retest results are negative. |
What if I don't want to notify my close contacts? |
You are not required to tell anyone that you are infected with COVID-19, but not notifying your contacts right away places many more people at risk of becoming infected. If you refuse to notify your contacts, then you must provide the Public Health Department with their names and phone numbers so our contact tracers may notify them that they have been in close contact with someone who recently tested positive for COVID-19. Will not tell them your name or any details of how they may have been exposed. Submit information about your close contacts for contact tracers to notify them of their exposure to COVID-19
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Contact Us
For COVID-19 Questions or Comments:
By Phone:
Contact our Phone Center at 805-543-2444 or 805-781-4280
By Email:
- For General COVID-19 vaccine or pandemic questions, email jic-pio@co.slo.ca.us
- To confirm a COVID-19 vaccine appointment, email publichealth.covidvaccine@co.slo.ca.us
- For Reopening questions related to COVID-19, email eoc-liaison@co.slo.ca.us
- For COVID-19 testing questions, email HA.covidresponse@co.slo.ca.us
- For volunteer opportunities, email slomrc@gmail.com
- For COVID compliance reports, fill out the online compliance form
- For news media questions, email eoc-pic@co.slo.ca.us
- For general Public Health questions, fill out the online contact form
The Office of Emergency Services
1055 Monterey Street D430
San Luis Obispo, CA 93408
County OES Business Line: 805-781-5011
County OES Business Email: oes@co.slo.ca.us