Health Practices

The definition of close contact depends on the size of the indoor space, the distance between the case and the contact, and the arrangement within the indoor environment. Specifically, a close contact is defined as follows:

• In indoor spaces 400,000 or fewer cubic feet per floor (such as home, clinic waiting room, airplane etc.), a close contact is defined as sharing the same indoor airspace for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period (for example, three individual 5-minute exposures for a total of 15 minutes) during an infected person's (confirmed by COVID-19 test or clinical diagnosis) infectious period.
• In large indoor spaces greater than 400,000 cubic feet per floor (such as open-floor-plan offices, warehouses, large retail stores, manufacturing, or food processing facilities), a close contact is defined as being within 6 feet of the infected person for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period during the infected person's infectious period.

Spaces that are separated by floor-to-ceiling walls (e.g., offices, suites, rooms, waiting areas, bathrooms, or break or eating areas that are separated by floor-to-ceiling walls) must be considered distinct indoor airspaces.

No. The definition of close contact is focused solely on indoor exposures.

If the COVID-positive person is not able to isolate in a separate residence, the county’s home isolation instructions (translations) describe the specific requirements for isolation in a home occupied by others. If the person is able to comply with these instructions, quarantine of close contacts can begin when the COVID-19-positive person begins isolation.

A person who lives with a household member who is COVID-positive may continue to attend school/work if they do not have symptoms. The person should test immediately upon learning that they are a close contact, and again on Day 3, 4, or 5, after the COVID-positive household member completes their isolation.

• Student close contacts should be strongly encouraged to wear a mask indoors and around others through Day 10.
• Employee close contacts are required to wear a mask indoors and around others through Day 10.
• The person should isolate immediately if they develop symptoms or test positive.
• Employers are required to verify negative test results.
• Parents are expected to report positive test results to the school.
• The positive household member should isolate themselves as described in question 5.

No. Per the CDPH guidance people who are identified as a close contact of a person who was contagious with COVID-19 should test on Day 3, 4, or 5 to remain in school/work. This includes people who are fully vaccinated. However, those who have recovered from a prior lab-confirmed infection within the last 30 days should not test as long as they remain asymptomatic (see question 11).

Yes. Per the CDPH guidance, people who do not have symptoms and have recovered from a prior verified infection within the last 30 days do not need to test on Day 3, 4, or 5 following an exposure. The CDPH guidance was updated to reduce the exemption from testing requirement from individuals within 90 days of a prior lab-confirmed infection to individuals within 30 days of a prior lab-confirmed infection. If symptoms develop, the person should take an antigen test immediately and follow the instructions on the Symptom and Isolation Tree.

No. Schools are not required to track test results. Parents are expected to inform the school when their child tests positive or develops symptoms.

Children who are permitted to return to school from isolation before Day 11 may participate in before- and after-school expanded learning programs and child care, however they should wear a mask that fits snugly over their nose and mouth.

It is not prohibited, but it’s also not advisable. A negative test result on Day 5 after symptom onset does not mean there is no virus in the person. It means that their viral load is low enough to reduce the chances of transmission while they are wearing a well-fitted mask. During exercise people exhale heavily, making their mask less effective, and increasing the chance of transmission. Limiting students who have returned from isolation to “walk-through” activities is advisable on Days 6 through 10.

Students who return from isolation before Day 11 should wear a mask that fits snugly over their nose and mouth indoors. A bell cover for the instrument is also strongly encouraged during days 6-10.

Positive antigen test results, including positive at-home test results, do not require confirmation with a PCR or other NAAT.

• The decision tree for Asymptomatic Positive individuals has been updated, removing PCR confirmation as a means of verifying a positive antigen test result from a person who does not have symptoms.

STUDENTS: Schools may accept the results of at-home testing for the same uses for which antigen tests are approved. Schools are encouraged to use a means described in the Over-The-Counter Tests Guidance to verify the results on tests administered at home. See the “What are best practices for verification of self-test results?” section for specific recommendations.

EMPLOYEES: Per Cal/OSHA, “an over-the-counter (OTC) COVID-19 test may be both self-administered and self-read if verification of the results, such as a time and date stamped photograph of the result or an OTC test that uses digital reporting with time and date stamped results, is provided." This guidance can be found in Cal/OSHA's May 7 FAQs under Testing.

STUDENTS and EMPLOYEES: When used for a person who has symptoms, the County of San Diego recommends that a negative antigen test be confirmed by a follow-up test (antigen, PCR, or other NAAT) administered the following day, and that the person isolate pending the result of that test.

If the person remains asymptomatic, they are required to self-isolate for at least 5 days past the date on which the positive test was collected. To return to school, students should wear a mask that fits snugly over their nose and mouth, indoors and within 6 feet of others outside, on Days 6 through 10. Per Cal/OSHA, employees are required to mask through Day 10 when returning from isolation.

If the person develops symptoms, isolation must be extended until 10 days have passed since the onset of symptoms.

The term “fully vaccinated” has not been redefined. It still refers to a person who is 14 days past completion of the primary vaccination series that is recommended by the vaccine manufacturer.

No. Effective Sept. 17, 2022 unvaccinated K-12 workers no longer need to undergo weekly testing as previously mandated by the Aug. 2021 public health order. 

While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) makes recommendations, the requirements for California schools are established by the CDPH and the school’s local health jurisdiction. The decision tree is based on the CDPH K-12 guidance and related FAQ, K-12 Testing Strategies, Cal/OSHA Emergency Temporary Standards, the local public health orders, pertinent executive orders, and answers received directly from the CDPH.

The CDPH no longer requires quarantine for asymptomatic close contacts. People who have been identified as close contacts may remain at school or work unless they develop symptoms, and are expected to test on Day 3, 4, or 5 following their last exposure to a person who was contagious with COVID-19.

• For students, parents are expected to report positive test results to the school.
• Employers must require evidence of a verified negative test result, or exclude the employee through the end of Day 10.
• If a student or an employee develops one or more symptoms associated with COVID-19, they must isolate immediately and contact their school/employer.