One thing we think people do not understand about being exposed to COVID-19 and testing is that a negative test does not mean you leave quarantine early.

For example. You get called by contact tracers or just know someone you spent some time with tested positive for COVID-19. According to the CDC, you are to stay in quarantine for 14 days from your last contact with the person who has COVID-19.

When you are told of the exposure, you feel fine, and go get tested. It comes back negative.

That negative test does not mean you leave quarantine.

According to the CDC, “Even if you test negative for COVID-19 or feel healthy, you should stay home (quarantine) since symptoms may appear 2 to 14 days after exposure to the virus.”

So if dad or mom gets it at work, that means all the kids stay home from school for 14-days no matter the test results.

More details on the CDC guidelines for quarantining can be found here.