Isolation and precautions for immunocompetent patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection in the community

* Outpatients with suspected or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (including those awaiting test results) should stay at home and try to separate themselves from other people and animals in the household. They should also avoid having visitors enter the home. Patients should wear a face mask for source control if they must be in the same room (or vehicle) as other people.

¶ If a patient was asymptomatic when they were diagnosed with SARs-CoV-2 infection, but then developed symptoms, day 0 is the first day of symptom onset.

Δ For immunocompetent patients with moderate disease, 10 days of home isolation is usually sufficient; however for those with severe disease, home isolation should generally be extended to 10 to 20. Refer to UpToDate content on infection control for persons with COVID-19 for additional information on discontinuing precautions in these populations.

◊ If a patient is unable to reliably mask around others they should continue to isolate at home for 10 days, even if they are afebrile and their symptoms are improving.

§ For most patients who are clinically improved, the need for precautions, such as masking around others, can be discontinued after 10 full days. However a test-based strategy (two negative rapid antigen tests at least 48 hours apart) may be preferred for those who live or work with individuals at high risk for severe disease (particularly immunocompromised individuals) in settings where masks are not required (eg, non-healthcare settings).