- Healthy individuals under the age of 60 with mild illness do not need to be tested. They should stay home for seven days or 72 hours after symptom resolution, whichever is longer.
- The following patients with symptoms of acute respiratory infection should be tested:
- Patients hospitalized with severe lower respiratory illness.
- Healthcare workers.
- Patients in other public safety occupations (e.g., law enforcement, fire fighter, EMS).
- Patients involved in an illness cluster in a facility or institution (e.g., healthcare, school, corrections, homeless/shelters, other institution/congregate setting).
- The following patients with symptoms of acute respiratory infection should contact their healthcare provider and be tested for COVID-19 if their symptoms worsen or their healthcare provider recommends testing:
- Patients age 60 and over.
- Patients with underlying medical conditions.
- Pregnant women.
More detailed information can be found on our UW Medicine COVID-19 website, under “Testing Criteria.”