Illness Policies - Updated 1/22/24

Covid Illness

If you do not feel your PT would be negatively impacted by missing the time, please consider waiting 10 days after diagnosis to return to PT. If you feel it would be, please follow the guidance below.

NOTE: When returning, the person needs to wear a KN95 or N95 mask until 10 days have passed since day 0.

Day 0: The day of the positive test sample collection or the onset of symptoms, whichever is later.

Assuming the person does not have severe illness requiring hospitalization, they may return when ALL of the following have been met

  • At least 24 hours have passed since last fever without the use of fever-reducing medications, AND

  • Other symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath) have improved AND

  • One of the following is met

    • With home testing - all of the following 

      1. 7 days

      2. Negative home test on day 5

      3. Negative home test on day 7

    • With PCR lab testing

      1. 7 days negative PCR test collected on day 5

    • With no follow-up testing: 10 days - no follow up testing required 

In the case of severe illness, the person's health care provider should advise on safe return to the clinic.

Non-Covid Illness

  • No fever or diarrhea for at least 24 hrs

  • Other symptoms improved significantly from peak illness

  • If any of the these sx are present and there is not a clear, non-covid cause of the sx, a negative home Covid-19 test should precede return to the clinic

  • If a medical provider recommends a shorter or longer time frame than the general time frame above based on their impression of your illness, this may supersede these general recommendations

Covid-19 Screening

  1. Have you been in close contact with anyone with COVID19 in the past 14 days? Close contact is being within 6 feet for 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period with a person; or having direct contact with fluids from a person with COVID-19 with or without wearing a mask (i.e., being coughed or sneezed on).

  2. Have you had a positive COVID-19 test for active virus in the past 10 days, or are you awaiting results of a COVID-19 test?

  3. Within the past 14 days, has a public health or medical professional told you to self-monitor, self-isolate, or self-quarantine because of concerns about COVID-19 infection?

  4. Do you have any of these symptoms that are not caused by another identified condition?

  • Fever or chills

  • Cough

  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

  • Fatigue

  • Muscle or body aches

  • Headache

  • Recent loss of taste or smell

  • Sore throat

  • Congestion

  • Nausea or vomiting

  • Diarrhea

Reference: WA State Dept of Health, May 2021