If you test positive for COVID-19, Isolate

Everyone, regardless of vaccination status should isolate following a positive COVID-19 test.

• Stay home and away from others in the household for 5-days from symptom onset, or positive test date if you are symptom-free.
• If you have no symptoms, or your symptoms are resolving and you have been fever-free for 24-hours, you should test on Day-6.
• If the day-6 test is negative, you may end isolation, but should continue to mask around others and in public until day 10.
• If they day-6 test is positive, you should continue to isolate until day-10 or until you test negative.
• Individuals with moderate illness or severe illness or with a weakened immune system should isolate through day 10 and consult your doctor before ending isolation

Don't forget to notify your close contacts. Anyone who you spent time with 48 hours prior to your symptom onset or positive test date should be notified of their possible exposure. They should follow the appropriate quarantine guidance.

 Testing after isolation. Testing is suggested on day-6 after a positive test. If you have access to a test and want to test, the best approach is to use any antigen test. Collect the test sample only if you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and your other symptoms have improved (loss of taste and smell may persist for weeks or months after recovery and need not delay the end of isolation). If your test result is positive, you should continue to isolate until day 10. If your test result is negative,  you can end isolation, but continue to wear a well-fitting mask around others at home and in public until day 10. Follow additional recommendations for masking and restricting travel as described above.

 Learn more about isolation from MADPH.

Check with your workplace, school or daycare as they may have additional isolation requirements.

If you were exposed to COVID-19, regardless of your vaccination status:

CDC recommends that instead of quarantining, you wear a high-quality mask for 10 days and get tested 5 full days after your last exposure. If you test positive, you should follow isolation guidance.

 Additionally, if at any time, you develop symptoms, you should get tested for COVID-19.

 

Need a home test kit? Call the Arlington Health Department at 781-316-3170.

CDC recommends that people ages 5 years and older receive one updated (bivalent) booster if it has been at least 2 months since their last COVID-19 vaccine dose, whether that was:

- Their final primary series dose, or

- An original (monovalent) booster

People who have gotten more than one original (monovalent) booster are also recommended to get an updated (bivalent) booster.

Learn more about booster recommendations.

Your booster does not need to be the same vaccine brand as your original COVID-19 vaccination, but does need to be age appropriate (currently Pfizer for ages 12 through 17 years, and either Pfizer or Moderna for ages 18 and older).

Find a clinic location near you.

When should I get tested?

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health advises all residents to seek COVID-19 tests when exhibiting COVID symptoms, or five days following a known close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID pursuant to MA DPH quarantine and isolation protocols, updated in accordance with the new CDC guidance.

Find the most up-to-date COVID-19 isolation and quarantine guidance from the CDC.

What Kind of test should I get?

There are two types of COVID-19 tests that are widely available to the public: rapid antigen tests, which are available as take-home tests and can be self-administered, and PCR tests, which are a clinically administered test, such as those at the Commonwealth’s Stop the Spread testing sites.

DPH advises that rapid antigen tests are an acceptable alternative to a PCR test in most situations, including in the following scenarios:

• To exit isolation or quarantine, in line with DPH guidance
• To receive therapeutics like monoclonal antibodies or antiviral medications if the patient is at high risk for severe outcomes

DPH advises that a positive COVID-19 rapid antigen does not need to be confirmed with a PCR test.

DPH recommends individuals that have COVID symptoms and test negative with a rapid antigen test should isolate and either repeat an antigen test or get a PCR test in 24-48 hours if they continue to exhibit symptoms.

DPH advises that employers, or schools and childcare providers should not require a test as a condition of returning to work, school, or childcare.

Please refer to DESE or EEC protocols to determine appropriate use for tests in those settings. If an employer chooses to require testing, a PCR should not be required. For some workers at nursing homes or other long term care facilities, a PCR test is required. (Workers should check with their employer.)

Some countries require a negative PCR test for entry. Travelers should check requirements prior to travel.

Home Test

If you need a home test kit, call the Arlington Health Department at 781-316-3170.

Reporting Results

Home test results do not need the be reported to the local Board of Health. However, if you have questions about isolation or quarantine, you can call the Health Department at 781-316-3170.

 

Learn more about testing recommendations from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Free treatments for COVID-19 are available. They can help prevent hospitalization and reduce your chance for severe disease.

Treatment is available for people who are at increased risk of severe disease*, test positive for COVID-19 and have any symptoms, even mild ones (such as runny nose or cough). The sooner you start treatment, the better.

Which COVID-19 treatments are available?

There are five treatment options. 

3 monoclonal antibody and antiviral treatments that are given by an intravenous (IV) infusion or injection. Monoclonal antibody therapy helps your body fight the coronavirus. 

2 antiviral pills are available. 

View a map of all locations offering antiviral pills and monoclonal antibody treatment: MA COVID-19 Therapeutic Locator

Learn more about COVID-19 treatment options from MADPH.

At its February 16th meeting Arlington’s Board of Health lifted the indoor mask mandate effective immediately. In their decision the Board cited, among other factors, reduced transmission rates, high vaccination status, and wider availability of testing. Read the memo from Arlington’s Board.

Although the mask mandate has been lifted for indoor spaces, business may choose to require the use of masks for their own establishment.

On February 15th the State rescinded its mask advisory, issued in December, but still has in place a mask mandate for all individuals on public and private transportation systems (including rideshares, livery, taxi, ferries, MBTA, Commuter Rail and transportation stations), in healthcare facilities and in other settings hosting vulnerable populations, such as congregate care settings. Read full state mask requirements at mass.gov/maskrules.

Arlington’s Board of Health along with the Mass. Department of Public Health recommends the following:

 

Fully Vaccinated individuals should continue to wear a face covering if you:

 - Have a weakened immune system.
- Are at increased risk for severe disease because of age or an underlying medical condition.
- Live with someone who has a weakened immune system and is at increased risk for severe disease or is unvaccinated.
- People who are not fully vaccinated should still wear masks indoors.

Individuals not fully vaccinated should continue to wear a face covering or mask to help prevent spreading COVID-19 to other people:

Individuals considered close contacts or have tested positive for COVID-19

- Must follow the isolation and quarantine guidance which includes wearing a mask in public for 5 more days after they leave isolation or quarantine on day 5, regardless of vaccination status.

Arlington’s Public Health Department will continue to monitor cases locally, provide vaccination and booster clinics, and antigen testing. To learn about an upcoming clinic or local COVID-19 related information, please visit arlingtonma.gov/covid19 or subscribe to Town Notices at arlingtonma.gov/emailsubscription.

When someone tests positive in a household, it is important to take preventative measures to limit any possible spread within the home. If someone has tested positive in your home, follow these precautions to keep all members of the home safe and healthy.

 

• Ensure all household members are up-to-date on their COVID-19 vaccine. 
• When possible, have the positive case isolate to their own room and bathroom.
• When the positive case needs to leave their room, ensure they and all household members present are wearing a well-fitting, high-quality mask.
• Disinfect any high-touch surfaces.

Learn more at from the CDC.