Champaign-Urbana Public Health District

COVID Isolation and Precautions

Testing Positive or Waiting for Test Results

NEW! Report your positive at-home COVID-19 test to makemytestcount.org. It’s safe, anonymous, and secure, and can help in knowing how fast the virus is spreading.

For new guidance if you have been exposed to CDC: What to Do If You Were Exposed to COVID-19

Recommendations for People with COVID-19

As of August 15, 2022, the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD) no longer contacts, or provides food and housing resources to, individuals who test positive for COVID-19. If you test positive for COVID, please reach out to your primary care physician to discuss treatment options, especially if you are at risk of severe illness. You can also call the Carle COVID-19 hotline at 217-902-6100. CUPHD will continue providing information and guidance about COVID-19 here on our website.

On March 1, 2024, the CDC released new guidance on preventing the spread of respiratory viruses when you’re sick. It includes staying at home and away from others (including people you live with who are not sick) if you have respiratory virus symptoms that aren't better explained by another cause. These symptoms can include fever, chills, fatigue, cough, runny nose, and headache, among others. You can go back to your normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, both are true:

• Your symptoms are getting better overall, and
• You have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication).

When you go back to your normal activities, take added precaution over the next 5 days, such as taking additional steps for cleaner air, hygiene, masks, physical distancing, and/or testing when you will be around other people indoors.

• Keep in mind that you may still be able to spread the virus that made you sick, even if you are feeling better. You are likely to be less contagious at this time, depending on factors like how long you were sick or how sick you were.
• If you develop a fever or you start to feel worse after you have gone back to normal activities, stay home and away from others again until, for at least 24 hours, both are true: your symptoms are improving overall, and you have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication). Then take added precaution for the next 5 days.

  Learn more about Preventing Spread of Respiratory Viruses When You’re Sick

  Please note, the CDC offers separate, specific guidance for healthcare settings (COVID-19, flu, and general infection prevention and control), and IDPH offers separate guidance for high-risk congregate settings.

Community Resources

Food Assistance:
• Champaign County Food Pantries

Financial Assistance:
• Homeless Prevention Rent Assistance
• Low-Income Home Energy Assistance

Immigrant and Refugee Services:
• ECIRMAC SF (East Central Illinois Refugee Mutual Assistance Center)
• New American Welcome Center (NAWC)
• Immigrant Services of CU

Excusal and Release Letters

Beginning August 15th, CUPHD will no longer provide excusal or release letters to persons who have tested positive for COVID. For individuals who require a return-to-work letter, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has provided a fillable PDF letter for convenience: Self Attested Return to Work Letter [IDPH]

Information for UIUC Staff & Students

• UIUC's COVID-19 web page