Alerts:  Nov. 12, 2024: Pertussis (whooping cough) outbreak confirmed in Spokane County. SRHD urges parents and pregnant people to vaccinate. Read the press release.

COVID-19 Advisory for Healthcare Providers

Updated COVID 19 Guidance on Isolation and Quarantine: General Public and Healthcare Workers

Posted Jan. 3, 2022. Past health advisories and alerts are archived for historical purposes and are not maintained or updated.


The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) announced updates to state isolation and quarantine guidance for the general public, in alignment with the newly released recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Additionally, due to concerns about increased transmissibility of the COVID-19 Omicron variant, the CDC recently updated their work restriction recommendations for healthcare personnel (HCP). DOH is also updating the guidelines for Washington to align with CDC recommendations. To ensure occupational health and safety, employers should refer to and follow all applicable worksite requirements outlined by the Department of Labor and Industries (L&I). Updates of other CDC healthcare infection prevention and control guidance are in process to more closely align with the changes made for healthcare personnel.

SRHD is adopting the new guidance to be in alignment with DOH and CDC.

For the General Public:

If You Test Positive for COVID-19 (Isolate)

Everyone, regardless of vaccination status.

  • Stay home for 5 days.
  • If you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving after 5 days, you can leave your house.
  • Continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.

If you have a fever, continue to stay home until your fever resolves.

If You Were Exposed to Someone with COVID-19 (Quarantine)

If you:

  • Have been boosted
    OR
  • Completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine within the last 6 months
    OR
  • Completed the primary series of J&J vaccine within the last 2 months
  • Wear a mask around others for 10 days
  • Test on day 5, if possible
    • If you develop symptoms get a test and stay home

If you:

  • Completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine over 6 months ago and are not boosted
    OR
  • Completed the primary series of J&J over 2 months ago and are not boosted
    OR
  • Are unvaccinated
  • Stay home for 5 days. After that continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days
  • If you can’t quarantine you must wear a mask for 10 days
  • Test on day 5 if possible

If you develop symptoms, get a test and stay home

For the Healthcare Setting, this interim guidance is intended to assist with the following:

  • Determining the duration of restriction from the workplace for healthcare providers (HCP) with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
  • Assessment of risk and application of workplace restrictions for asymptomatic HCP with exposure to SARS-CoV-2.
Source: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

For the full guidance document visit: Interim Guidance for Managing Healthcare Personnel with SARS-CoV-2 Infection or Exposure to SARS-CoV-2 | CDC