Testing for COVID-19, Flu and RSV

Sedgwick County residents tested at the Health Department sampling site are tested for multiple viruses using one swab. Individuals are tested for COVID-19, influenza (flu) and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). Below you will find information on what you should do if you test positive for any of these viruses.

For all of the below, you should:

Direct all clinical questions to your healthcare provider.
If you or your child has difficulty breathing, visit a healthcare provider right away.
If you or your child is not breathing, is unresponsive, or turns blue, call 9-1-1 immediately.

If you test positive for COVID-19:

Remain at home in isolation for 5 full days after your symptoms start. If you do not have symptoms, you should remain in isolation until 5 full days after the day you were sampled. After 5 days, if your symptoms are gone or mostly gone and you have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication, you can leave your home but must wear a mask at all times around others at home and in public for an additional 5 full days.

If you are a healthcare provider or work in, reside in, or attend a congregate setting (ex. daycare, long-term care) you may have different isolation guidelines. You can call 316-660-1040 and leave a message with any questions.

Your close contacts will be quarantined at home for 5 days after date of last exposure, wear a mask for an additional 5 days at all times around others, and continue watching for symptoms for 14 days. Close contacts are people you were around within 6 feet for 15 cumulative minutes or more within a 24 hour period, with or without a mask.

What does isolation mean?

When isolated, you should be separated in a location and under conditions that will prevent any possible spread of the virus to others. This includes remaining at home at all times and not attending work, errands, school, religious events, parties or gatherings, or any other activities or events. In addition, there should be no visitors to your home other than people who live there.

When can you get vaccinated?

Wait until you are feeling better and you meet the criteria to stop isolating.
Children or adults with a history of multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C or MIS-A) after COVID-19 infection should consult with their clinical team to assist with decisions about the use of COVID-19 vaccines.

COVID-19 quarantine guidance

If you are a close contact of a COVID-19 case or are in quarantine due to travel, you should remain home for 5 full days after the last day you had close contact with the COVID-19 case or for 5 full days after you returned from traveling. You will need to wear a mask for an additional 5 days at all times around others. Close contact is being within 6 feet for 15 cumulative minutes or more within a 24 hour period, with or without a mask of someone who has COVID-19.

You may leave your home on Day 6 if you have not had any COVID-19 symptoms and wear a mask at all times around others for an additional 5 days. Testing is recommended on Day 5 or later, but not required.

If you leave quarantine on Day 6, continue to monitor your symptoms until 14 days after the case is released from isolation. If you develop one or more symptoms of COVID-19 during the 14 days after you were exposed, you should be retested.

When can you get vaccinated?

You should wait until you have fulfilled quarantine guidelines before getting vaccinated.

If you test positive for flu:

Remain at home in isolation for 5 days after your symptoms started or 24 hours fever-free without the use of fever reducing medication, whichever is longer.

If you test positive for RSV:

Remain at home until your cough has improved, you no longer have a runny nose, and you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication.

If you test positive for flu and RSV:

Remain at home in isolation for 5 days after your symptoms started or 24 hours fever-free without the use of fever reducing medication, whichever is longer.

If you test positive for COVID-19 and influenza:

Since you tested positive for COVID-19, you should remain in isolation for 5 full days after your symptoms start. If you do not have symptoms, you should remain in isolation until 5 full days after the day you were sampled. After 5 days, if your symptoms are gone or mostly gone and you have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication, you can leave your home but must wear a mask at all times around others at home and in public for an additional 5 full days.

Your close contacts will be quarantine for 5 full days after date of last exposure plus wear a mask for an additional 5 days at all times around others. Close contacts are people you were around within 6 feet for 15 cumulative minutes or more over a 24 hour period, with or without a mask.

If you test positive for COVID-19 and RSV:

Since you tested positive for COVID-19, you should remain at home in isolation for 5 full days after your symptoms start. If you do not have symptoms, you should remain in isolation until 5 full days after the day you were sampled. After 5 days, if your symptoms are gone or mostly gone and you have been fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medication, you can leave your home but must wear a mask at all times around others at home and in public for an additional 5 full days.

Your close contacts will be quarantined for 5 days after date of last exposure plus wear a mask for an additional 5 days at all times around others. Close contacts are people you were around within 6 feet for 15 cumulative minutes or more over a 24 hour period, with or without a mask.