Frequently asked questions
Note: This page uses the official term COVID-19 to refer to the disease caused by the 2019 novel coronavirus.
Many rumors related to COVID-19 circulating on social media are false or contain misinformation. People should be skeptical of rumors they hear on social media that aren’t being reported by reputable health organizations or mainstream media outlets and should not share or repost items unless they are able to confirm that they are true. False and inaccurate social media posts can cause a great deal of harm.
Want to keep up on the latest COVID-19 updates? Here’s some of our favorite credible sources:
- CDC
- FDA
- World Health Organization
- Dear Pandemic
- Your Local Epidemiologist
- Friendly Neighborhood Epidemiologist
- Stronger
- Project VCTR (Vaccine Communication Tracking & Response)
- John Hopkins University & Medicine Coronavirus Resource Center
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Updated 2/5/2024
What is COVID-19?
COVID-19 is a disease caused by a new strain of coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). It causes a respiratory illness ranging from mild flu-like symptoms to severe pneumonia.
The symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to what someone may get from a seasonal illness:
- Fever
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Muscle aches
- Sore throat
- A decrease in smell or taste
Most people with COVID-19 will have mild to moderate symptoms. However, people of any age with certain underlying medical conditions are at increased risk for severe illness and even death from COVID-19.
Recommended interventions (such as vaccination, wearing face masks, cleaning and disinfection, hand hygiene, improving air filtration, ) are effective at helping prevent severe illness and spreading the virus to others.
What does COVID-19 mean?
This is the official name for the disease caused by the 2019 novel coronavirus. The World Health Organization (WHO) renamed 2019-nCoV to COVID-19 using a combination of the words coronavirus (CO), virus (VI), and disease (D). The number “19” is for the year the outbreak was first identified. The name was chosen to avoid references to a specific geographical location, animal species, or group of people to prevent stigma.
How is COVID-19 spread?
From what we know right now, the virus that causes COVID-19 is most easily spread through respiratory fluids. When you exhale, talk, sing, cough, sneeze, or breath hard during exercise you exhale respiratory droplets. Other people can breathe in these respiratory droplets and particles, or get them in their eyes, nose, or mouth. Respiratory droplets can be very fine or aerosolized which means you can’t see them and they can stay in the air for minutes to hours. Other respiratory droplets can be large enough that you can see them (think of someone sneezing or coughing on you and you get “sprayed” with droplets). The largest droplets settle out of the air quickly, within seconds to minutes.
The 3 main ways that COVID-19 spreads:
- Breathing in air that has very fine respiratory droplets or aerosol particles that contain the virus.
- When respiratory droplets get in your mouth, nose, or eyes. This happens when you are close to someone who coughs or sneezes.
- Touching your mouth, nose, or eyes with your hands that have respiratory fluids containing the virus on them. Sometimes this can also happen if you’ve touched surfaces contaminated with the virus and then touch your mouth, nose, or eyes.
Are there any medicines to treat COVID-19?
Treatments used for COVID-19 should be prescribed by your healthcare provider.
Vaccination is still the best way to prevent severe illness from COVID-19, but there are also effective medicines to treat it now. Treatment works best when it's given within the first few days of your illness. Get tested right away if you have symptoms of COVID-19 so you can qualify for treatments which have been shown to prevent hospitalization and death from COVID-19. If you test positive for COVID-19, talk to a doctor or healthcare provider about treatments that may work best for you.
Treatment to manage symptoms can include drinking lots of fluids, getting plenty of rest, and taking medications, like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, to reduce fever.
Does ivermectin help prevent or cure COVID-19?
No. Ivermectin is not authorized or approved by the FDA for prevention or treatment of COVID-19. The National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) COVID-19 Treatment Guidelines Panel has also determined that there is currently insufficient data to recommend ivermectin for treatment of COVID-19. Ivermectin is used to treat certain infections caused by parasites. COVID-19 is caused by a virus, not a parasite.
It is also used by veterinarians to treat parasitic infections in livestock.
Adverse effects associated with ivermectin misuse and overdose are increasing, as shown by a rise in calls to poison control centers reporting overdoses and more people experiencing adverse effects.
Is there a vaccine for COVID-19?
Yes. In the United States there are 2 types of COVID-19 vaccines approved or authorized by the FDA.
- mRNA vaccines (Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech or Comirnaty)
- Protein subunit (Novavax)
To find a vaccine provider near you, visit https://coronavirus.utah.gov/vaccine-distribution or vaccines.gov.
Who is most affected by COVID-19?
COVID-19 can affect anyone, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe. Some people are more likely to get very sick than others.
- People older than age 50
- People who have compromised immune systems
- People who have certain medical conditions or chronic diseases like cancer or diabetes
Based on what we know now, people of any age with the following health conditions or health behaviors are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19:
- Cancer
- Chronic kidney disease
- Chronic liver disease
- Chronic lung disease like asthma or COPD
- Cystic fibrosis
- Diabetes (type 1 or type 2)
- Disabilities like cerebral palsy, birth defects, or spinal cord injuries
- Heart conditions
- HIV
- Mental health conditions like depression or schizophrenia
- Neurologic conditions such as dementia
- Overweight or obesity
- Physical inactivity
- Pregnancy
- Sickle cell disease or thalassemia
- Smoking (either current or former)
- Solid organ or stem cell transplant
- Substance use disorder
- Tuberculosis
What is multisystem inflammatory syndrome?
Multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS) is a condition where different body parts can become inflamed, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, or gastrointestinal organs. Both children (MIS-C) and adults (MIS-A) can be affected by MIS. It can be serious, even deadly, but most people who were diagnosed with this condition have gotten better with medical care.
Seek emergency care right away if your child is showing any of these emergency warning signs of MIS or other concerning signs.
Does everyone with COVID-19 end up in the hospital?
No. People of any age with certain underlying medical conditions are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 which may include hospitalization. We can’t predict who may suffer from severe illness from COVID-19. The best way to protect yourself and your family is to get vaccinated.
Most people will be able to recover at home under the care of a healthcare provider.
What is post-COVID or COVID long hauler?
There is no way to know how COVID-19 will impact you. While many who have contracted COVID-19 appear to be “recovered” after one to two weeks, there are many who would say they are far from being in that category. Individuals who are referred to as “long haulers” are those who continue to suffer debilitating effects of the disease months after being infected with the virus. Some studies and surveys with patients show that 50-80% of people continue to have bothersome symptoms up to three months after they contracted COVID-19, even though the virus is no longer in their bodies. Many of these people lived very active lifestyles prior to getting sick; hiking, traveling, regular exercise routines, and more. Now, months after initially contracting the virus, these long haulers say they are nowhere near returning to their familiar lifestyle.
Long haulers are battling symptoms for not just days or weeks, but months. Some of the effects long haulers continue to experience are: chronic fatigue, hair loss, blood clots, hearing deficits, tremors, body aches, tachycardia, heart palpitations and other cardiac issues, insomnia, cognitive issues, short term memory loss, vertigo, random adrenaline rushes, dysautonomia, anxiety, blurry vision, brain fog, and more. These side effects have a devastating impact on these individuals and their families.
Do you have immunity once you get COVID?
There is still a lot we don't know about COVID-19. Different variants may affect how long someone may have an immune response to COVID-19. Our immune systems are incredibly complex.
We know people can get immunity from both infection and vaccination. We recommend you stay up-to-date on your COVID-19 vaccinations, even if you’ve had COVID-19 before. We can’t predict who will get severely ill from infection or suffer long-term health effects from it. The overwhelming evidence shows the benefits of getting vaccinated outweigh the risks of having COVID-19 as a disease.
How long does COVID-19 survive on surfaces?
Studies show the virus that causes COVID-19 may last on surfaces for up to 72 hours depending on the surface. That's why it is so important to not touch your face, clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that are touched often (such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables), and wash your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
What cleaning agents work best to kill COVID-19?
Use a disinfectant product from EPA List N that is effective against COVID-19. For more information, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/cleaning-disinfection.html.
Can I get COVID-19 from pets or animals?
Animals can get infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, mostly after close contact with someone who had COVID-19. Based on what we know right now, the risk of animals spreading COVID-19 to humans is considered low. Learn more.
Is it a HIPAA violation if someone asks me if I’m vaccinated for COVID-19?
No. HIPAA laws are often misunderstood, so it makes it easy for misinformation to spread. HIPAA stands for Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-191). The law was made to make sure employees had health insurance between jobs. However, a privacy rule was added in 2003. The privacy rule is the part that is usually misunderstood.
HIPAA laws:
- Give you the right to access your own medical information.
- Limit how “covered entities” can access, use, and/or share your personal health information without your consent. It also limits who within “covered entities” has access to your personal health information. This includes information about your past, current, or future physical or mental health conditions.
For example, just because someone works at a medical clinic, does not mean he or she can just access your medical records. The person has to have a valid reason, like if he or she were your nurse or doctor. Another example would be that not everyone in the billing department would have a valid reason for access to your health information, but the person who is actually billing your insurance would.
HIPAA laws only apply to “covered entities” and how they use your personal health information. Covered entities are:
- Healthcare providers (like physicians, hospitals, clinics, pharmacies)
- Healthcare plans (health insurance)
- Healthcare clearinghouses (like billing companies).
HIPAA laws do not apply to private businesses or employers. A private business or employer can ask or require proof of whether or not you’ve been vaccinated before allowing you to come inside the business or come to work. You don’t have to tell them, if you don’t want to. However, a private business or employer has the right not to allow you to enter the business or come to work. For more information about Utah employment laws, visit https://jobs.utah.gov/employer/legal.html.
Will the Utah Department of Health & Human Services provide COVID-19 tests for my business or event?
No. The Utah Department of Health & Human Services is no longer providing COVID-19 testing services to private businesses or to private event organizers. Businesses and event organizers are responsible for getting their own testing vendors and supplies, and lab services. Below are some helpful resources for knowing what kind of test is best for your needs and how to order test kits.
Connect to Test is a tool that can help you find the best type of COVID-19 test based on your business or event needs. This tool also lets you purchase different types of tests that will work best for you.
Project N95 is a national clearinghouse for personal protective equipment (PPE) and COVID-19 tests. Project N95 makes group purchases of PPE and testing supplies to lower costs to businesses.
When To Test is an easy-to-use tool that helps you or your business know when to test for COVID-19. It accounts for community spread of COVID-19 in your area, strategies your business is taking to prevent spread of COVID-19, and the level of compliance at your worksite.
Where can I find data on COVID-19 in Utah?
The Utah Department of Health and Human Services updates a respiratory illness data dashboard at https://coronavirus.utah.gov/case-counts/ each Wednesday.
You can also search data on the IBIS-PH data query website.
How are deaths from COVID-19 determined?
For information on how deaths from COVID-19 are determined, visit https://coronavirus.utah.gov/covid-19-deaths/.
Where can I find data on COVID-19 hospitalizations in Utah?
Data on COVID-19 hospitalizations can be found at https://coronavirus.utah.gov/case-counts/. You can also search data on the IBIS-PH data query website.
Do hospitals make more money on COVID patients?
Some have alleged hospitals make more money treating COVID patients, which incentivizes them to take more COVID patients or to diagnose patients with two or more conditions including COVID as a primary COVID diagnosis. Hospitals and doctors will be reimbursed for treating COVID cases by health insurance companies, Medicare, and Medicaid based on established rates of payment. There is no upcharge or financial gain for treating a COVID patient or classifying a patient with a primary COVID diagnosis. Hospitals are urging people to avoid contracting COVID so they don’t need hospital care. Hospitals want fewer, not more COVID cases.
What is isolation?
Stay home if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or test positive, even if you are vaccinated or had COVID before. The vaccines do not interfere with the accuracy of COVID-19 tests.
If you have symptoms, stay home until:
- You have been fever-free for 24 hours without using medicine to lower your fever.,
- Your symptoms have improved for 24 hours.,
- It has been at least 5 days from the day your symptoms first started. You are most likely infectious in the first 5 days which is why it is so important to stay home and isolate. The day your symptoms first started is called day 0. Stay home until it has been 5 full days after you test positive (days 1-5).
You may need to stay at home longer than 5 days if your symptoms have not gotten better. Some symptoms, like losing your sense of taste or smell, can last for weeks or months even though you are no longer infectious and don’t need to stay home anymore. Talk to a healthcare provider if you have questions about how long you should stay at home after testing positive. Learn more here.
Wear a well-fitting mask around others and in public for 5 more days after you end your isolation at home.
If you never had symptoms, stay home until:
- It has been at least 5 days since the day you were tested. The day you test positive is called day 0. Stay home until it has been 5 full days after you test positive (days 1-5). You must stay home for at least 5 days.
If you get sick or develop symptoms, your 5-day isolation at home starts over. Learn more here.
Wear a well-fitting mask around others and in public for 5 more days after you end your isolation at home.
Wearing a mask around others is important after you test positive for COVID-19, even if you don’t feel sick. This can help protect them from getting sick too. Wear a mask around others, including people you live with, and in public for 5 more days after you end your isolation at home. If you can’t stay at home, wear a well-fitting mask around others for the 10 days after you test positive. A high-quality mask like a KN95 or double masking (this means wearing two masks at the same time) may provide more protection for other people who will be exposed to you.
You don’t need to get tested again to end your isolation. If you want to get tested before returning to normal activities (like work or school), we recommend you use an at-home test.
If you still test positive at this time, it’s best to stay at home for another 5 days (a total of 10 days after you tested positive the first time). If you choose to test again, wait 48 hours before testing again. You may need to stay home longer than 5 days depending on your test results and symptoms.
If your test result is negative, you can end isolation but you still need to wear a well-fitting mask around others and in public for 5 more days.
A public health worker may try to contact you if you test positive to conduct a case investigation. Sometimes people call this contact tracing. A public health worker may call you or send you a text or email.
What do I do if I am sick with COVID-19?
- Stay home unless you need medical care.
- Try to stay in a different room than other people in your house.
- Try to use a different bathroom than the other people who live in your house.
- Clean surfaces that are touched often (phones, doorknobs, light switches, toilet handles, sink handles, countertops, and anything metal).
- Do not travel until your isolation is done.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze.
- Wash your hands with soap and water right after you cough, sneeze, or blow your nose. If you do not have soap or water, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Wear a face mask if you have to be around other people.
You can find more information on isolation at https://coronavirus.utah.gov/protect-yourself/.
When should I go to the hospital or call 911 if I am sick with COVID-19?
If your symptoms get worse or you feel like you need to see a doctor or call 911, call and tell them you tested positive for COVID-19 before you go to their office, clinic, or emergency room. This is important so the healthcare workers are prepared for your visit and can take precautions to keep you and others safe. Some of the emergency warning signs are:
- If you have trouble breathing or shortness of breath
- If you have pain or pressure in your chest that does not go away
- If you feel confused or cannot wake up easily
- If your lips or face look bluish
These are not all of the emergency symptoms. Call a doctor if you are worried.
What is the difference between quarantine and isolation?
Quarantine is for people who may have been exposed to COVID-19, but aren't sick yet. Isolation is for people who are sick or who have tested positive for COVID-19.
What is the best way to protect yourself from getting COVID-19?
Staying up-to-date on your immunizations is the best way to keep you, your family, and your community healthy and safe. All COVID-19 vaccines approved or authorized by the FDA are safe and are effective. They keep you from getting sick, needing to be hospitalized, and dying from COVID-19.
What are the symptoms of COVID-19?
People with COVID-19 can have had a wide range of symptoms. Common symptoms include:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
If you have symptoms of COVID-19, get tested and isolate right away. You can find testing locations at https://coronavirus.utah.gov/testing-locations/.
How long does it take for symptoms to appear?
Symptoms of COVID-19 may appear 2-14 days after exposure. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, isolate and get tested for COVID-19 right away.
What should I do if I was exposed to COVID-19?
It can be very hard to stay home and miss work or school after being exposed to someone who has COVID-19. It can also be very hard to stay isolated from people who have COVID-19 and live in your home. That’s why the CDC updated their quarantine recommendations and no longer recommends people stay home after they are exposed to COVID-19. However, you still need to take precautions to protect other people:
- Wear a mask for 10 days after your exposure when around other people or in public.
- Get tested 5 full days after you were exposed to COVID-19.
- Watch for symptoms of COVID-19. If you get sick, stay home, follow isolation guidelines, and get tested.
What should I do if I am sick?
If you have symptoms of COVID-19, stay home and get tested for COVID-19. Getting tested soon after your symptoms begin can help you get effective treatments, such as antiviral pills.
Isolation is for people who are sick or have tested positive for COVID-19. Isolation keeps sick people away from healthy people to stop sickness from spreading.
If you are sick or test positive for COVID-19, you should:
- Stay home unless you need medical care.
- Try to stay in a different room than other people in your house.
- Try to use a different bathroom than the other people who live in your house.
- Clean surfaces that are touched often (phones, doorknobs, light switches, toilet handles, sink handles, countertops, and anything metal).
- Do not travel if you are sick.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze.
- Wash your hands with soap and water right after you cough, sneeze, or blow your nose. If you do not have soap or water, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Wear a face mask if you have to be around other people.
Should I wear a face mask?
Wearing a mask can help prevent the spread of viruses that cause respiratory illnesses including COVID-19. The CDC has recommendations on when to wear masks in public based on your county’s COVID-19 hospital admission levels.
Does having COVID-19 impact pregnancy?
Yes. People who are pregnant are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19. COVID-19 can also cause preterm delivery or other pregnancy complications like blood clots, preeclampsia, or effects on the placenta that can affect your baby’s growth.
MotherToBaby Utah provides free, confidential, and accurate information for anyone who is pregnant, breastfeeding, or thinking about getting pregnant or having a baby. We also answer questions healthcare providers may have. Call, text, or email MotherToBaby Utah if you have questions about COVID-19 or the COVID-19 vaccines. You can also find answers to commonly asked questions at https://mothertobaby.org/fact-sheets/covid-19.
What is quarantine?
Quarantine is for people who are not sick and don’t have any symptoms of COVID-19, but who may have been exposed to it. This means you were in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 while that person was infectious. Quarantine keeps you away from others so you don’t infect someone else without knowing it.
Do I have to stay home after being exposed to COVID-19?
It can be very hard to stay home and miss work or school after being exposed to someone who has COVID-19. It can also be very hard to stay isolated from people who have COVID-19 and live in your home. That’s why the CDC updated their quarantine recommendations and no longer recommends people stay home after they are exposed to COVID-19. However, you still need to take precautions to protect other people:
- Wear a mask for 10 days after your exposure when around other people or in public.
- Get tested 5 full days after you were exposed to COVID-19.
- Watch for symptoms of COVID-19. If you get sick, stay home, follow isolation guidelines, and get tested.
You should wear a well-fitting mask around others and in public for 10 days after your exposure (called the date of exposure). Wearing a mask around others is important, even if you don’t quarantine at home. This helps keep others safe.
What is the difference between quarantine and isolation?
Quarantine is for people who may have been exposed to COVID-19, but aren't sick yet. Isolation is for people who are sick or who have tested positive for COVID-19.
What should I do if I am exposed to someone with COVID-19?
Take extra safety precautions if you are exposed to COVID-19:
- Check for symptoms of COVID-19 every day for 10 days after your exposure, including taking your temperature if possible. Get tested right away if you have symptoms of COVID-19.
- Wear a mask around others. It’s important to wear a mask in public and around others until it has been 10 days since you were exposed to COVID-19.
- Get tested at least 5 days after you last had close contact with the person who has COVID-19.
- Stay away from people who are immunocompromised or at higher risk for getting very sick from COVID-19. You should not visit a long-term care facility, nursing home, or other high risk setting until it has been at least 10 days since you were exposed to COVID-19.
- Don’t travel if you have symptoms of COVID-19. Wear a mask around others if you travel.
- Clean surfaces that are touched often (phones, doorknobs, light switches, toilet handles, sink handles, countertops, and anything metal).
- Wash hands with soap and water often. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol.
- Open the windows as much as you can to improve the ventilation and increase air exchanges in rooms.
- Do not share food or utensils with other people.
How do I know the health department calling me isn't a scam?
As part of the disease investigation process, the health department will reach out to individuals who may have tested positive or been exposed to a communicable disease (a disease that can spread to another person or animal), like COVID-19. The health department may try to contact you by phone, text, or email. If you receive a message from the health department, please call the number back right away. Text messages from the health department will be from “Utah Public Health Contact Tracers” and provide a phone number and utah.gov URL. Health departments will never ask for a social security number, bank information, etc.
Someone from the CDC called me to ask for money. Is it a scam?
The CDC is aware of a scam asking for individuals to donate money to the CDC. This scam is coming through caller ID or voicemail messages. These calls are a scam. Federal agencies do not request donations from the public. The health department or CDC will never ask you for your social security number, banking information, or for money.
Downloadable apps and some free websites now make it simple for someone to “spoof” a phone call and make it appear to come from any phone number. Unfortunately, current technology doesn’t make it simple to always block these spoofed calls—either on business or personal phones. A spoofed call does not mean that anyone’s telephone has been hacked.
You may also report these calls to the Federal Communications Commission. The Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Communications Commission, and the Department of Justice also provide more information about these types of scams on their websites.
When should I get tested for COVID-19?
Stay at home and get tested right away if you have symptoms of COVID-19. You can use an at-home test or find a testing location. You may need to test more than one time if you’re sick but the test result is negative. It can take several days for enough of the virus to build up in your body to be detected by a test.
We know that people can get re-infected and that people who are vaccinated can get COVID-19. We suggest anyone with symptoms get tested, just to be safe.
Anyone who is exposed to COVID-19 should get tested. Wait 5 days after your exposure to get tested. This lets enough of the virus build up in your body to be detected by the tests. The vaccines do not interfere with the accuracy of COVID-19 tests. You may need to get tested more than one time, depending on what type of test you had, when you were tested, and if you had symptoms at the time of your test.
The CDC and Utah Department of Health recommends you not get tested again for COVID-19 if it’s been less than 30 days (about 1 month) since you last tested positive, as long as you don’t have any symptoms. However, if you have any symptoms or it’s been more than 30- days since you last tested positive, you should get tested again.
What kind of test should I get?
Some COVID-19 tests are more accurate than others. Antigen tests (also called rapid tests, at-home tests, or self-tests) work best when you have symptoms of COVID-19. Rapid antigen tests detect only high levels of virus and are less sensitive than PCR tests. A PCR test looks for the genetic material of the virus. It is a very accurate test and almost always detects if a person is infected with the virus. Learn more here.
Do I need a confirmatory PCR test?
Antigen tests detect only high levels of virus and are less sensitive than PCR tests. They work best when you are sick. Consider getting a PCR test if your antigen test (at-home) result is negative and you have symptoms. You may have a false negative test result. If you can’t get a PCR test, wait 48 hours before testing again with an at-home test.
You can learn more about how much COVID-19 testing costs, the types of COVID-19 tests, and how to get your test results at https://coronavirus.utah.gov/testing-locations.
What are the types of COVID-19 tests?
There are three types of COVID-19 tests.
PCR test
A PCR test tells you if you have COVID-19 right now and could spread it to other people. A PCR test looks for the genetic material of the virus. It is a very accurate test. A healthcare worker uses a nasal swab to collect a sample from your throat, behind your nose.
Antigen test (rapid test, at-home test, or self-test)
An antigen test is a new kind of COVID-19 test. You can get results in minutes. An antigen test looks for proteins found on or within the virus. It tells you if you have COVID-19 right now and could spread it to other people. Like a PCR test, a healthcare worker uses a nasal swab to collect a sample from your throat, behind your nose. Antigen tests are very accurate. However, there is a higher chance of having a false negative test result. This means if you test negative for COVID-19 with an antigen test, you may also need to get a PCR test or retest with another at-home test to make sure you don’t have COVID-19.
Serology or antibody test
Serology, or antibody tests, may be able to tell if you have ever been exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19. A positive antibody test does not guarantee immunity to COVID-19. A sample of your blood is collected and is used to see if your body has made antibodies to the virus. Your body makes antibodies when it fights an infection. Antibodies in your blood mean, at one time, you were exposed to COVID-19. Antibody tests find these antibodies in your blood and tell you if your immune system has responded to the infection.
Do I need to report at-home test results to the health department?
No. You do NOT need to report at-home test results to the health department.
Where can I get tested?
We recommend you use an at-home or self-test. A doctor or ugent care clinic may also test you for COVID-19 if you are sick. Testing location found at https://coronavirus.utah.gov/testing-locations/.
Is testing for COVID-19 free?
It depends on the type of test you get, what type of insurance you have, and where you get tested. Talk to your health insurance provider or the testing provider about costs before getting tested. You can also buy at-home or self-test kits at retail stores.
How long does it take to get my test results back?
If you had a PCR test done, your sample will be sent to a lab to be tested. When your sample gets to the lab, it will be tested for COVID-19. The result will be sent to the healthcare provider or testing location where you were tested. It can take up to 24-48 hours to get a PCR test result back. However, surges in testing demands may increase this wait time.
If you had a rapid test (antigen or PCR), you should have your test results back within 15 minutes to a couple of hours. Some testing sites will provide your test results on-site and others may ask you to check your email for the results later in the day.
Stay home if you can and take precautions while you wait for your test results.
Who will call me with my test results?
You will get your test results from the testing provider who took your sample. Call the testing provider or location where you were tested to get your test results. If you used an at-home or self-test kit, follow the test kit instructions to get your test results.
Will my test sample be sequenced for a variant?
Only PCR samples are able to be genetically sequenced for variants. Testing providers submit positive samples to the Utah Public Health Laboratory for sequencing. You can’t request that your sample be sequenced.
How can I find out if I was infected by a variant?
Due to CLIA and the FDA Emergency Use Authorization rules, the Utah Public Health Laboratory is unable to release any results of the genetic sequencing to the individual patient. It’s important to remember that nothing about variants changes your treatment or what recommendations you should follow if you do test positive - it doesn’t matter what variant has infected you. The omicron variant is the most common strain of the virus in Utah and across the United States. If you test positive, right now, you should assume you were infected with the omicron variant.
If I test negative for COVID-19, what should I do?
Take precautions if you were exposed to COVID-19, even if you test negative.
A negative test result doesn’t mean you won’t ever get sick with COVID-19. It’s possible that you were very early in your infection and that you could test positive later, or you could be exposed later and then get sick. Watch for symptoms and stay home if you get sick. You may need to be re-tested for COVID-19.
It’s important to wait 5 days after your exposure to get tested. This lets enough of the virus build up in your body to be detected by the tests. The COVID-19 vaccines do not interfere with the accuracy of COVID-19 tests. You may need to get tested more than one time, depending on what type of test you had, when you were tested, and if you had symptoms at the time of your test.
What should I do if I test positive for COVID-19?
If you have symptoms, stay home until:
- You have been fever-free for 24 hours without using medicine to lower your fever.,
- Your symptoms have improved for 24 hours.,
- It has been at least 5 days from the day your symptoms first started. You are most likely infectious in the first 5 days which is why it is so important to stay home and isolate. The day your symptoms first started is called day 0. Stay home until it has been 5 full days after you test positive (days 1-5).
You may need to stay at home longer than 5 days if your symptoms have not gotten better. Some symptoms, like losing your sense of taste or smell, can last for weeks or months even though you are no longer infectious and don’t need to stay home anymore. Talk to a healthcare provider if you have questions about how long you should stay at home after testing positive. Learn more here.
Wear a well-fitting mask around others and in public for 5 more days after you end your isolation at home.
If you never had symptoms, stay home until:
- It has been at least 5 days since the day you were tested. The day you test positive is called day 0. Stay home until it has been 5 full days after you test positive (days 1-5). You must stay home for at least 5 days.
If you get sick or develop symptoms, your 5-day isolation at home starts over. Learn more here.
Wear a well-fitting mask around others and in public for 5 more days after you end your isolation at home.
Wearing a mask around others is important after you test positive for COVID-19, even if you don’t feel sick. This can help protect them from getting sick too. Wear a mask around others, including people you live with, and in public for 5 more days after you end your isolation at home. If you can’t stay at home, wear a well-fitting mask around others for the 10 days after you test positive. A high-quality mask like a KN95 or double masking (this means wearing two masks at the same time) may provide more protection for other people who will be exposed to you.
You don’t need to get tested again to end your isolation. If you want to get tested before returning to normal activities (like work or school), we recommend you use an at-home test.
If you still test positive at this time, it’s best to stay at home for another 5 days (a total of 10 days after you tested positive the first time). If you choose to test again, wait 48 hours before testing again. You may need to stay home longer than 5 days depending on your test results and symptoms.
If your test result is negative, you can end isolation but you still need to wear a well-fitting mask around others and in public for 5 more days.
Do I have to quarantine if I travel to Utah?
There are no travel or quarantine restrictions in the state of Utah.
Do I have to have a negative test to fly into Utah?
No. There are no travel or testing requirements in the state of Utah.
Do I have to be vaccinated to fly into the United States?
Each country has different immunization requirements to enter the country. Make sure you’re up-to-date on the immunizations you need for your trip. Learn more.
Is there a statewide mask mandate in Utah?
No. Utah does not have a statewide mask mandate.
National parks and monuments may have indoor mask requirements.
What precautions should I take after returning from travel?
- It is important to take precautions before and after traveling. Learn more.
Where can I find travel restrictions in the United States?
The CDC provides travel advisories as well as the U.S. Department of State.
Is it safe to travel?
Travel increases your risk of being exposed to different viruses that can cause respiratory illness, like COVID-19. We recommend you be up-to-date with your vaccinations before traveling, both internationally and within the United States.
Getting vaccinated is the best way to keep you, your family, and your community healthy and safe. All COVID-19 vaccines approved or authorized by the FDA are safe and are effective. They keep you from getting sick, needing to be hospitalized, and dying from COVID-19.
To learn more about the COVID-19 vaccines, visit https://coronavirus.utah.gov/vaccine.
For a list of common questions about the vaccines, visit https://coronavirus.utah.gov/vaccine-facts or https://coronavirus.utah.gov/vaccine-education-resources.
To find a vaccine location near you, visit https://coronavirus.utah.gov/vaccine-distribution or https://www.vaccines.gov/.
I’ve lost my immunization records. What can I do?
There are several ways to get a copy of your immunization records. This webpage goes over the different options: https://immunize.utah.gov/usiis/usiis-parents-individuals/ or you can send an email to usiissupport@utah.gov and staff can help you.