CDC Guidance – Quarantine vs. Isolate

When to Quarantine

Stay home if you might have been exposed to COVID-19
Quarantine is used to keep someone who might have been exposed to COVID-19 away from others. Quarantine helps prevent spread of disease that can occur before a person knows they are sick or if they are infected with the virus without feeling symptoms. People in quarantine should stay home, separate themselves from others, monitor their health, and follow directions from their state or local health department.

CDC Guidance on When to Quarantine: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/quarantine.html

Isolate If You Are Sick

Separate yourself from others if you have COVID-19
Isolation is used to separate people infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, from people who are not infected. Isolation keeps someone who is infected with the virus away from others, even in their home.

CDC Guidance on When to Isolate: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/isolation.html

*If you think you may have been exposed to COVID-19, contact your healthcare provider.

*Please contact your healthcare provider or state or local health department with any questions.

Additional Resources

NYSDOH COVID-19 Hotline: (888) 364-3065

NYSDOH Novel Coronavirus Website: https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home

Local Health Department Contact Information:
https://www.health.ny.gov/contact/contact_information/