What to do if you test positive for COVID-19

If you get a positive COVID-19 test, the Washington state Department of Health has a few steps you should take to keep yourself and the people around you safe and healthy.

Confirmed coronavirus cases and deaths across Washington state

Even if your symptoms are slight, you should isolate, and all your close contacts should quarantine.

To prevent spread, the DOH wants you to wear a mask while inside and ask others in your home to do the same. The DOH recommends a KN95, KF-94, or a 3-ply surgical mask, if possible. Additionally, make sure the masks fit well. Use a second mask and tie ear loops to prevent gaps.

Ventilate your living space as much as you can. Use a fan and briefly open windows to allow fresh air in, when possible. Turn the fan on your furnace setting to “on” or “high” (vs “auto”). Additionally, change the furnace filter according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Use WA Notify to report a positive home test, if applicable. Also, reach out to close contacts and let them know they’ve been exposed and they should quarantine.

Drink a lot of water, gets lots of rest, and manage mild symptoms with over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen.

Despite high capacity at hospitals, health officials don’t want to you to wait to reach out to your health care provider. Inform them of your condition and seek immediate medical care if you experience the following symptoms:

–Trouble breathing
–Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
–Confusion, Inability to wake or stay awake
–Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds (or an abnormally low reading on a pulse oximeter, if you have one).

The state has a service for people who have tested positive or been exposed and need support to isolate or quarantine at home. Care Connect Washington connects people to services they are eligible for, like medication delivery, health care, help applying for unemployment, local housing agencies, food banks, childcare providers and more.

UW Medicine temporarily closes three COVID-19 testing sites amid positive test rate spike

Call or text the program hotline at 1-833-453-0336, Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Press #1 for Spanish and #2 for other languages.

The DOH says cases are rising sharply, largely driven by the omicron variant, which is believed to be more contagious. If you experience any symptoms of COVID-19 or believe you’ve been exposed, you’re urged to get tested, regardless of vaccination status or prior infection.

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