The following advice is recommended for people who test positive to COVID-19:
Stay home and avoid contact with others
The COVID-19 infectious period can vary, but most people are considered infectious from 48 hours before their symptoms start and for a minimum of 5 days, but you can be infectious for up to 10 days.
COVID-19 cases should:
- stay home for at least 5 days and until your symptoms have resolved to prevent spreading the illness to others
- avoid close contact with people at greater risk of serious illness from COVID-19
- avoid high risk settings such as hospitals (unless your require urgent medical care or treatment), residential disability, mental health and aged care facilities, and other healthcare settings for at least 7 days after testing positive for COVID-19.
Register your positive RAT result
If you tested positive using a rapid antigen test (RAT), it is recommended that you register your result with the WA Department of Health (external site).
You do not need to register your result if you tested positive with a PCR test.
Keep evidence of your positive test result in case you need to show your employer. Evidence could include:
Protect others – tell your close contacts you have COVID-19
It is likely that you were in close contact with other people while you were infectious. You should advise those people that they are COVID-19 close contacts.
Consider the following to reduce the risk of spreading infection to your household contacts, especially if they are at a greater risk of severe illness from COVID-19:
- stay and sleep in a separate room, if possible
- avoid contact with others while using shared bathroom and kitchen facilities
- avoid other common use areas, such as dining and lounge rooms, when other people are using them
- wear a mask in shared areas
- clean surfaces with detergent and disinfectant when you have finished using a shared area
- wash your used kitchen utensils in the dishwasher or clean thoroughly with hot soapy water
- handle your own laundry and use the hottest setting on the washing machine.
If you care for young children or other household members, it may not be possible to meet all considerations to minimise contact, but you should attempt what is practical and safe. For example, wear a mask and wash your hands regularly while caring for others in your household.
Take care to remain separate from any members of your household who are elderly, immunocompromised, or have medical conditions such as heart, lung or kidney problems.
Learn more about staying safe.
Recovery
You should stay home for at least 5 full days and until your symptoms have resolved.
Some people may continue to have mild or intermittent symptoms after their recovery from COVID-19.
If you experience new COVID-19 symptoms more than 35 days after your last COVID-19 infection, you may have been re-infected and should test again for COVID-19.