COVID-19 Information
Resources for COVID-19 isolation, vaccination and testing information.
What is it?
COVID-19 is a virus that can cause respiratory symptoms and can easily be spread. Most people who contact the virus have mild symptoms, but some people can become severely ill.
How does it spread?
COVID-19 primarily spreads person-to-person by respiratory droplets. The virus can be spread even when someone is not having symptoms.
I was exposed to COVID-19. What should I do?
If you were exposed to COVID-19, you should start wearing a well-fitting mask as soon as you find out you were exposed. Day 0 is the last day you were exposed to the individual. For 10 days after last known exposure, you should watch for symptoms, and take extra precautions around people who are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19. On day 6 after last exposure, it is recommend you take a COVID-19 test. If it is positive, you should isolate. If it is negative, you should continue to monitor for symptoms and wear a mask through day 10.
I tested positive for COVID-19. How long do I need to stay home for?
An individual should isolate at home for at least 5 days from symptom onset, or if no symptoms, from positive test date. If the individual is fever free for more than 24 hours (without the use of fever reducing medicines) and other symptoms are improving, they can return to normal activities on day 6 as long as they agree to wear a mask, consistently and correctly, through day 10.
The CDC has an Isolation and Exposure Calculator, please visit Isolation and Precautions for People with COVID-19 | CDC for more information.
When to Isolate
Regardless of vaccination status, you should isolate from others when you have COVID-19.
You should also isolate if you are sick and suspect that you have COVID-19 but do not yet have test results. If your results are positive, follow the full isolation recommendations below. If your results are negative, you can end your isolation.
When you have COVID-19, isolation is counted in days, as follows:
If you had NO symptoms
- Day 0 is the day you were tested (not the day you received your positive test result)
- Day 1 is the first full day following the day you were tested
- If you develop symptoms within 10 days of when you were tested, the clock restarts at day 0 on the day of symptom onset
If you had symptoms
- Day 0 of isolation is the day of symptom onset, regardless of when you tested positive
- Day 1 is the first full day after the day your symptoms started
Isolation
If you test positive for COVID-19, stay home for at least 5 days and isolate from others in your home.
You are likely most infectious during these first 5 days.
- Wear a high-quality mask if you must be around others at home and in public.
- Do not go places where you are unable to wear a mask. For travel guidance, see CDC’s Travel webpage.
- Do not travel.
- Stay home and separate from others as much as possible.
- Use a separate bathroom, if possible.
- Take steps to improve ventilation at home, if possible.
- Don’t share personal household items, like cups, towels, and utensils.
- Monitor your symptoms. If you have an emergency warning sign (like trouble breathing), seek emergency medical care immediately.
- Learn more about what to do if you have COVID-19.
Ending Isolation
End isolation based on how serious your COVID-19 symptoms were. Loss of taste and smell may persist for weeks or months after recovery and need not delay the end of isolation.
If you had no symptoms:
You may end isolation after day 5.
If you had symptoms and your symptoms are improving:
You may end isolation after day 5 if you are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication).
If your symptoms are not improving, continue to isolate until:
- You are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication).
- Your symptoms are improving.
If you had symptoms and had:
- Moderate illness (you experienced shortness of breath or had difficulty breathing), you need to isolate through day 10.
- Severe illness (you were hospitalized) or have a weakened immune system, you need to
- Isolate through day 10
- Consult your doctor before ending isolation.
- Ending isolation without a viral test may not be an option for you.
If you are unsure if your symptoms are moderate or severe or if you have a weakened immune system, talk to a healthcare provider for further guidance.
Regardless of when you end isolation, until at least day 11:
- Avoid being around people who are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19.
- Remember to wear a high-quality mask when indoors around others at home and in public.
- Do not go places where you are unable to wear a mask until you are able to discontinue masking.
- For travel guidance, see CDC’s Travel webpage.
Removing your mask:
- After you have ended isolation, when you are feeling better (no fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and symptoms improving), wear your mask through day 10.
- If you have access to antigen tests, you should consider using them. With two sequential negative tests 48 hours apart, you may remove your mask sooner than day 10.
- Note: If your antigen test results are positive, you may still be infectious. You should continue wearing a mask and wait at least 48 hours before taking another test. Continue taking antigen tests at least 48 hours apart until you have two sequential negative results. This may mean you need to continue wearing a mask and testing beyond day 10.
After you have ended isolation, if your COVID-19 symptoms recur or worsen, restart your isolation at day 0. Talk to a healthcare provider if you have questions about your symptoms or when to end isolation.
Treatment Options
If you test positive and are more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19, treatment options are available.
Want More Information?
Visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for more information about COVID-19 variants, reinfection, symptoms, testing, health risks, prevention, vaccines, and long COVID.
Trusted Resources & Links
Ohio Department of Health COVID-19 Vaccine
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Resources
Public Health Vaccination Sites
Regional Vaccine Sites
If you are a provider and would like your information listed or updated please complete this form.
Recommendations for People Who May Get Additional Updated COVID-19 Vaccines
- Some people may get additional doses of COVID-19 vaccines:
- People aged 65 years and older may get 1 additional dose of COVID-19 vaccine 4 or more months after the 1st updated COVID-19 vaccine.
- People who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may get 1 additional dose of updated COVID-19 vaccine 2 or more months after the last updated COVID-19 vaccine. Talk to your healthcare provider about additional updated doses.
Trusted Resources & Links
Ohio Department of Health COVID-19 Vaccine
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Resources
The following is a list of sites that provide COVID-19 testing, including free or low-cost testing.
These sites are not hosted by Hamilton County Public Health – please contact the organization with questions. Fees, out of pocket costs, and insurance requirements vary by location and provider.
If you are a provider and would like your information listed or updated please complete this form.
Find Test Kits
Test kits are available at the following locations while supplies last
(see websites for details):
Butler County Health Department, 301 S 3rd St, Hamilton, OH 45011 Butler County
Health Department
Center for Closing the Health Gap, 3120 Burnet Avenue Suite 201, Cincinnati, OH 45229
Cincinnati Health Department
Clermont County Public Libraries – select branches
Check Availability
Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Libraries
Check Availability: when available, are free until supplies run out at the Library’s drive-thru locations: Anderson, Covedale, Delhi, Downtown Main Library, Forest Park, Groesbeck, Harrison, North Central, Reading, and Symmes.
Hamilton County Public Health
250 William Howard Taft, Cincinnati, OH 45219
Email Christa.Hyson@hamilton-co.org to request testing kits.
HealthSource of Ohio Locations:
Batavia Pharmacy, 2055 Hospital Drive Suite #130 Batavia, Ohio 45103
Mt Orab Pharmacy, 150 Health Partner Circle Mt Orab, Ohio 45154
Seaman Pharmacy, 218 Stern Drive Seaman, Ohio 45679
Warren County Health District, 416 S. East Street, Lebanon, OH 45036 (513-695-1228)
Warren County Health District