Post-Holiday COVID Check In

We hope you had a great Thanksgiving holiday! We wanted to put some helpful info in one spot in case you’re feeling a little under the weather.

I need some rapid COVID tests.

Where to get them

• Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order an additional 4 free at-⁠home tests beginning November 20. If you did not order tests this fall, you may place two orders for a total of 8 tests. Your order of COVID tests is completely free – you won’t even pay for shipping. The Post Office delivers them to your mailbox! Visit covidtests.gov to order tests.
• You can also pick up at-home tests from some area libraries (call ahead to check supply) or at our South Park Street or East Washington locations during business hours. You can also purchase at-home tests in stores, at pharmacies, and online.

Check your rapid test’s expiration date

Many have had their expiration dates extended if the manufacturer provided data showing that the shelf-life is longer than was known when the test was first authorized. The FDA has a searchable list of authorized at-home test kits with extended expiration dates.

I was exposed to someone over the holiday who just tested positive for COVID.

• Wear a high-quality mask for 10 days after having close contact with someone with COVID-19.
• Get tested at least 5 days after you last had close contact with someone with COVID-19, even if you don't have any symptoms.
• Watch for symptoms through 10 days after you last had close contact with someone with COVID-19. If you develop symptoms, isolate immediately and get tested. Continue to stay home until you know the results.
• Avoid being around people who are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19.
• Read full details, including how to know if you were a close contact, on our What to Do if You’re Exposed page.

I just tested positive for COVID.

• Stay home for at least 5 days and isolate from others in your home. You are likely most infectious during these first 5 days.
• Those who become severely sick from COVID-19 or are immunocompromised may need to isolate longer than 5 days – talk to your doctor before ending isolation.
• Access free COVID-19 Treatment Telehealth service from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. This service is for Wisconsinites ages 18 and older to help them access COVID-19 treatments. Learn more on the DHS website.
• Wear a high-quality mask if you must be around others in your home.
• Wear a high-quality mask for 10 full days any time you are around others inside your home or in public.
• Read full details, including how to isolate and when to end isolation, on our What to Do if You’re Sick page.

I want to know how long I’m contagious.

You are most infectious (or contagious) in the first 5 days after your symptoms start. You can also spread COVID-19 in the 48 hours before your symptoms start. If you never have symptoms, consider yourself most infectious in the 5 days after you test positive.

Read more in our blog, How long are you contagious when you have COVID-19?

I had COVID less than three months ago. Is it possible to have it again?

The short answer is yes, though it’s not common. Our blog, Is it possible to get COVID-19 within 3 months of my last infection?, walks you through the specifics.

I have symptoms of COVID or was exposed to someone with COVID but I’m testing negative. What does that mean?

Testing negative on an at-home test does not necessarily mean you don’t have COVID. At-home antigen tests are widely available, but for more accuracy, the FDA recommends using more than one at-home test to reduce the chance of receiving a false negative result. Our blog explains some possible reasons why you may test negative when feeling sick and/or recently exposed to someone with COVID-19.