What to Do While You Wait for a COVID-19 Test Result

On this page:
After you get tested
If your test is positive
If your test is negative

After you get tested

• Stay home and away from others if you have symptoms or start to feel sick, even if you are fully vaccinated or if you have had COVID-19 in the past three months. You are fully vaccinated if it has been two weeks since your final dose of vaccine.
• If you have not been fully vaccinated, you should also stay home and away from others if:
  • Someone in your home has COVID-19.
  • You’ve been close to someone with COVID-19.
• You do not have to stay home and away from others if:
  • You do not have any symptoms and have not been close to someone with COVID-19.
  • You got tested for a medical procedure and do not have symptoms.
  • You are fully vaccinated. If you got tested because you were close to someone with COVID-19, you should wear a mask in public indoor settings for 14 days or until you receive a negative test result. If you live with someone who is immunocompromised, at increased risk of severe disease, or unvaccinated (including children under the age of 12), consider masking at home for 14 days or until you receive a negative test result.
  • You are a student in an indoor K-12 classroom setting, were within 3-6 feet of another student with COVID-19, and both the infected student and the exposed student(s) correctly and consistently wore well-fitting masks the entire time. This exception does not apply to teachers, staff, or other adults in the indoor classroom setting.
• Start making a plan for what you will do if you have a positive test because you will need to stay home for at least 10 days, even if you do not feel sick.
• Tell people you have been in close contact with recently that you may have COVID-19. If they are not fully vaccinated, they should stay away from others until they hear from you.
• It may take several days to get your test results back. You will receive test results by email, text, and/or telephone call.

If your test is positive

• This means you currently have COVID-19.
• Stay home. A public health worker may call or text you. It is important that you answer. They will ask you questions about possible exposures to COVID-19, such as people you have been in direct contact with and places you have visited.
• Learn more about what to do and how long to stay home: If You Are Sick or Test Positive.
• Monitor your symptoms. If they get worse, contact a health care provider. Tell them you tested positive for COVID-19.

If your test is negative

• This means you do not currently have COVID-19. However, you could still be exposed or become sick at any time. Continue to take steps to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.
• If you develop symptoms of COVID-19, get tested again.