ALABAMA, USA — As the pandemic continues, rules and guidance change, and knowing when to quarantine can be confusing.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, you must self isolate if you come in contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19.
Health officials say it's possible you can still transmit the virus for a couple days before you test positive or show symptoms. Even if you test negative for COVID-19, you must still quarantine for 14 days.
Dr. Sue Feldman at the University of Alabama at Birmingham said, "Let's say you came in contact with someone yesterday and they tell you today that they tested positive and you get tested tomorrow. That's outside of the optimal positive test range. The optimal positive test range is right around five days."
If you have to quarantine, you should stay home, separate from others, and monitor your health.
For more quarantine guidelines, click here.
WATCH: Temperature scan effectiveness: Other COVID-19 symptoms to watch for