If you suspect you have COVID-19, isolate yourself at home

If you suspect you have COVID-19, start self-isolating at home immediately. Do not wait for a positive test result.

Across California, many labs are currently experiencing delays in test processing. Some patients are waiting more than a week to receive test results. Because COVID-19 spreads easily between people, it is important that those who suspect they are infected behave as though they are while awaiting their test result.

COVID-19 is more widespread than reported numbers indicate

There have been 416 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Berkeley residents, over 12,000 cases across Alameda County, and more than half a million in California as of August 6 - but these numbers do not fully capture the presence of the virus in our community. CDC reports suggest that positive test results may reflect only one-tenth of the total number of people infected.

Additionally, the California Department of Public Health has announced that COVID-19 case counts are being underreported statewide due to technical issues with data transfer between laboratory reporting systems. The extent of the underreporting is unknown.

The reporting delays impact published case counts and testing data, but do not affect patient care as test results are still being reported directly to providers and hospitals. Until the data issues are resolved, labs are also being instructed to manually report positive test results directly to local public health departments so that case investigation and contact tracing work can continue.

Reported testing numbers may also appear low because of the statewide delays in lab processing of test results. Reported positivity rates may also be impacted by the underreported test results.

If you feel sick, start isolating

City of Berkeley Isolation and Quarantine Health Officer Orders require people who have been diagnosed with or who are likely to have COVID-19 to isolate themselves until at least one day has passed since they’ve recovered and 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.

• you’ve received a positive lab test, or
• you have symptoms consistent with COVID-19, or
• you’ve been in close contact with someone who has or was believed to have had COVID-19 within 14 days AND you are experiencing any COVID-19 symptom, or
• a health care provider has said you are “presumptively positive”

How to self-isolate at home

Stay home entirely when you’re isolating because you are a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19. Don’t visit public places or go out for a walk. Leave only to get medical care.

While you’re isolating:

• Clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces every day, including counters, tables, doorknobs, light switches, toilets, phones, remotes, and keyboards.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Have food and necessities delivered and left at your doorstep.
• If you have pets, arrange for someone else to care for them and walk them if needed.

If you live with other people, separate yourself from the rest of your household as much as possible:

• Don’t share household items, including dishes, utensils, towels, and bedding. Wash everything thoroughly after you use it.
• Don’t prepare or serve food for others.
• If you can, stay in a separate room and use a separate bathroom.

Although staying in your own room is ideal, this is not an option for many in our community. If you can’t separate entirely from the rest of your household, take these precautions:

• Stay as far from others as possible - at least six feet.
• Wear a face covering while inside.
• Others should wear a face covering when they are in the room with you, wash hand often, avoid touching their face.
• Open windows or use a fan to keep air flowing.
• Clean the bathroom immediately after you use it, before others enter. Follow CDC instructions for cleaning and disinfecting.

The CDC has additional recommendations for people living in close quarters and living in shared housing.

Find more information in detailed isolation and quarantine instructions from Berkeley Public Health:

• Home isolation instructions: English | Spanish
• Home quarantine instructions: English | Spanish