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WEBSITE OF THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Joan Adam, Secretary of Health

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COVID-19 Self-Testing Guidance

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When to Self-Test for COVID-19

Self-tests for COVID-19 give rapid results and can be taken anywhere, regardless of your vaccination status or whether or not you have symptoms.

When To Take an At-Home COVID-19 Test:Woman using COVID-19 Self-Testing Kit

If you test positive

  • A positive test result on an at-home COVID-19 test does NOT need to be confirmed by a medical provider.

  • You do NOT need to report your positive result to the SD DOH.

  • Isolate yourself from others. As much as possible, stay in a specific room and away from other people and pets in your home.

  • Tell your close contacts that they may have been exposed to COVID-19. An infected person can spread COVID-19 starting 48 (or 2 days) before the person has any symptoms or tests positive. By letting your close contacts know they may have been exposed to COVID-19, you are helping to protect everyone.

  • Monitor your symptoms. If you have an emergency warning sign (including trouble breathing), seek medical care immediately.

  • If you are at an increased risk of becoming very sick, treatment maybe be available. Contact your health care provider right away if your test result is positive.

    • AT-HOME TESTING GUIDELINES

Quarantine and Isolation Guidance

CALCULATING ISOLATION - Day 0 is your first day of symptoms or a positive viral test. Day 1 is the first full day after your symptoms developed or your test specimen was collected.

IF YOU
Tested positive for COVID-19 or havesymptoms, regardless of vaccination status

  • Stay home for at least 5 days

  • If you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving after 5 days, you can leave your house

  • Wear a mask around others for 5 additional days and avoid being around people at high risk

  • If you have a fever, continue to stay home until your fever resolves

CALCULATING QUARANTINE - The date of your exposure is considered day 0. Day 1 is the first full day after your last contact with a person who has had COVID-19.

IF YOU
Were exposed to COVID-19 and are up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations

  • Wear a mask around others for 10 days

  • Avoid being around people who are at high risk

  • Test on day 5, if possible

  • If you develop symptoms, get a test & stay home

IF YOU
Were exposed to COVID-19 and are NOT up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations

  • Stay home for at least 5 days

  • Wear a mask around others for 5 additional days and avoid being around people who are at high risk

  • Test on day 5, if possible

  • If you develop symptoms, get a test & stay home

IF YOU
were exposed to COVID-19 and had confirmed COVID-19 within the past 90 days (you tested positive using a viral test)

  • Wear a mask around others for 10 days

  • Avoid being around people who are at high risk

  • If you develop symptoms, get a test & stay home

DOWNLOAD THE PDF | CDC GUIDANCE

What to do if you are sick


Stay home except to get medical care

  • Stay home. Most people with COVID-19 have mild illness and can recover at home without medical care. Do not leave your home, except to get medical care. Do not visit public areas.

  • Take care of yourself. Get rest and stay hydrated. Take over-the-counter medicines, such as acetaminophen, to help you feel better.

  • Stay in touch with your doctor. Call before you get medical care. Be sure to get care if you have trouble breathing, or have any other emergency warning signs, or if you think it is an emergency.

  • Avoid public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis.


Separate yourself from other people

As much as possible, stay in a specific room and away from other people and pets in your home. If possible, you should use a separate bathroom. If you need to be around other people or animals in or outside of the home, wear a mask.

Tell your close contacts that they may have been exposed to COVID-19. An infected person can spread COVID-19 starting 48 hours (or 2 days) before the person has any symptoms or tests positive. By letting your close contacts know they may have been exposed to COVID-19, you are helping to protect everyone.


Monitor your symptoms

  • Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, or other symptoms.

  • If you have an emergency warning sign (including trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion, inability to wake or stay awake, pale grey or blue-colored skin, lips, or nailbeds), seek medical care immediately.


Call ahead before visiting your doctor

  • Call ahead. Many medical visits for routine care are being postponed or done by phone or telemedicine.

  • If you have a medical appointment that cannot be postponed, call your doctor’s office, and tell them you have or may have COVID-19. This will help the office protect themselves and other patients.


If you are sick, wear a well-fitting mask

  • You should wear a mask  if you must be around other people or animals, including pets (even at home).

  • Wear a mask with the best fit, protection, and comfort for you.

  • You don’t need to wear the mask if you are alone. If you can’t put on a mask (because of trouble breathing, for example), cover your coughs and sneezes in some other way. Try to stay at least 6 feet away from other people. This will help protect the people around you.

  • Masks should not be placed on young children under age 2 years, anyone who has trouble breathing, or anyone who is not able to remove the mask without help.


Cover your coughs and sneezes

  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.

  • Throw away used tissues in a lined trash can.

  • Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.


Clean your hands often

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. This is especially important after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; going to the bathroom; and before eating or preparing food.

  • Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, covering all surfaces of your hands and rubbing them together until they feel dry.

  • Soap and water are the best option, especially if hands are visibly dirty.

  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

  • Handwashing Tips


Avoid sharing personal household items

  • Do not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, or bedding with other people in your home.

  • Wash these items thoroughly after using them with soap and water or put in the dishwasher.


Clean surfaces in your home regularly

    • Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces in your “sick room” and bathroom; wear disposable gloves. Let someone else clean and disinfect surfaces in common areas, but you should clean your bedroom and bathroom, if possible.

    • If you are sick and cannot clean, a caregiver or other person should only clean and disinfect the area around you (such as your bedroom and bathroom) on an as needed basis. Your caregiver/other person should wait as long as possible (at least several hours) and wear a mask before entering, cleaning, and disinfecting shared spaces that you use.

    • Clean and disinfect areas that may have blood, stool, or body fluids on them.

    • Use household cleaners and disinfectants. Clean visible dirty surfaces with household cleaners containing soap or detergent. Then, use a household disinfectant.


When you can be around others after being sick with COVID-19

  • Deciding when you can be around others is different for different situations. Find out when you can safely end home isolation.


 
Resources
  • COVID.gov - Find COVID-19 guidance and resources to protect you, your family, and your community
  • Operation Expanded Testing (OpET) provides no-cost laboratory-based testing to childcare centers, K-12 schools, congregate settings, and other communities who have been disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

CDC Resources

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