If You Have COVID-19: Advice from the Cambridge Public Health Department

If you have COVID-19, here are some useful reminders from the Cambridge Public Health Department (CPHD) on how to protect your loved ones and the community:

Tell Your Close Contacts 

If you tested positive, tell your close contacts that they may have been exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19.

Stay Home If You Have COVID-19 (Isolate) 

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 or test positive, you are required to stay home, except to get medical care. This is known as “isolation.” To avoid infecting the people you live with, try to stay in a separate room and use a separate bathroom. When distancing is not possible, both you and the people you live with should wear high-quality masks. Avoid sharing items such as cups, towels, and utensils. More tips.

You must isolate at home for at least 5 days. When your home isolation ends depends on whether you had symptoms, how you feel, and your overall health status. Here is guidance from the CDC on ending isolation: 

• If you did NOT have symptoms, you can end isolation after at least 5 full days after your positive test. 

CPHD strongly recommends taking a home antigen test on Day 6 and receiving a negative result before ending home isolation.

• If you had symptoms, but they are improving and you have been fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication), you can end isolation after 5 full days. 

CPHD strongly recommends taking a home antigen test on Day 6 and receiving a negative result before ending home isolation. If your rapid test is positive, you should continue to stay home. You may retest in 24-48 hours.

• If you got very sick from COVID-19 or have a weakened immune system, you should isolate for at least 10 days. Consult your doctor before ending isolation.

How to Count Days of Isolation

• Day 0, first day of symptoms OR day the positive test was taken, whichever came first

• Days 1-4, continue to isolate

• Day 5, last day of isolation if asymptomatic or symptoms are improving (see section above).

Take Precautions Through Day 10

• Wear a well-fitting mask for 10 full days any time you are around others inside your home or in public. Do not go to places where you are unable to wear a mask.

• Do not travel until a full 10 days after your symptoms started or the date your positive test was taken if you had no symptoms.

• Avoid being around people who are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19.

 

Monitor Your Health Every Day

If you are sick with COVID-19, here are some ways you can take care of yourself. 

Get rest and stay hydrated. Drink a lot of water. Avoid caffeine and alcohol since it can dehydrate you.

Take over-the-counter medicines, such as Tylenol (acetaminophen), to help you feel better.

Find out if you can get prescription medication or treatments. If you have COVID-19 symptoms and are age 55 and older (or have certain conditions that put you at increased risk for getting very sick from COVID-19), you may be eligible for free medical treatments. 

Stay in touch with your doctor

• Find out if you are eligible for medical treatments (see above).

• Be sure to get care if you have trouble breathing, have any other emergency warning signs, or if you think it is an emergency.

 

Learn More

• What To Do If You Are Sick (CDC)

• COVID-19 Prevention and Treatment (Massachusetts Department of Public Health)