If you test positive for COVID-19, you will manage your own health at home through self-care (home treatment). From 1 May 2024, the infectious disease alert level for COVID-19 was lowered to the lowest tier, called “Attention,” which means that isolation for confirmed cases changed from mandatory to recommended. COVID-19 is now managed at a level similar to seasonal influenza, but while you have symptoms it is best to avoid going out as much as possible and rest at home so you do not pass the virus to others. Because the exact isolation period and available support can change over time, please always check the latest information with 1339 (Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency call center) or your local public health center (보건소).

Step-by-Step Process at a Glance

  1. 1. Confirm a Positive Result

    If a home self-test kit or a test at a medical facility comes back positive, you have a confirmed case of COVID-19. Unlike in the past, your local public health center no longer sends an individual confirmation text message, so do not wait for a text; start managing your symptoms right away.

  2. 2. Start Right Away Without Registering

    In the past, receiving living support benefits required "isolation participant registration" and a self-report survey, but this program ended on 31 August 2023. You can now manage your symptoms at home right away, without any separate registration.

  3. 3. Begin Home Treatment

    It is recommended that you avoid going out as much as possible until 24 hours have passed after your main symptoms improve. Prepare a thermometer and fever-reducing medicine, and make sure to drink plenty of fluids.

  4. 4. Receive Telemedicine or In-Person Care

    If you have symptoms, you can consult a doctor by phone or video call (telemedicine). If needed, you may visit a nearby Respiratory Patient Care Center in person.

  5. 5. Pick Up Your Medicine

    Your prescription will be sent directly to a pharmacy. A household member or friend can pick it up on your behalf. If you live alone, contact your local government office to ask about medicine delivery.

  6. 6. Recover and Return to Daily Life

    Once your main symptoms have improved and 24 hours have passed, you can return to daily life. Even after recovery, please continue to follow basic hygiene practices such as wearing a mask when appropriate.

  • The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) recommends that you avoid going out as much as possible until 24 hours have passed after your main symptoms (cough, fever, headache, etc.) improve. Isolation is not legally required.
  • The living support benefits and paid-leave cost support that used to be paid to people with confirmed COVID-19 ended as of 31 August 2023. They can no longer be applied for, and since the rules could change again, check the latest criteria with 1339 (KDCA call center) or your local public health center.
  • Restrictions on attending school, childcare, or work depend on your school or employer’s own policies. Check with your institution in advance.
  • For patients with severe illness or weakened immune systems (immunocompromised individuals), a doctor may recommend a longer isolation period.
  • For questions about isolation or whether support is available to foreign nationals, please check the latest information with 1345, your local Korea Immigration Service (출입국·외국인청, the government office that handles immigration and foreign resident matters), or 1339.

What to Prepare for Home Treatment

Here are some things it is helpful to have ready before you start recovering at home.

Essentials

  • Thermometer: Check your temperature regularly to monitor for fever.
  • Disinfectant: Use it to sanitize your hands and frequently touched surfaces.
  • Fever-reducing medicine (containing acetaminophen): Taken when you have a fever. Available at pharmacies under brand names such as “Tylenol.”
  • Anti-inflammatory pain reliever (containing ibuprofen or dexibuprofen): Helpful for body aches and general pain.

Additional Medicines by Symptom

SymptomType of MedicineKey Ingredient(s)
CoughCough suppressantDextromethorphan
Runny nose / nasal congestionAntihistamineCetirizine, Loratadine
DiarrheaAnti-diarrhealLoperamide, Dioctahedral smectite
  • If you have a sore throat or phlegm, gargling with mouthwash or warm salt water can help relieve discomfort.

Most Important: Stay Hydrated

Staying hydrated is one of the most important things you can do when you are ill. Drink water and electrolyte drinks frequently and in generous amounts.

Receiving Medical Care by Phone (Telemedicine)

If it is difficult to go to a hospital or clinic in person, you can consult a doctor and receive a prescription by phone or video call. This is called telemedicine (비대면 진료, literally “non-face-to-face medical care”). It is currently operating as a pilot program under the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and the eligible conditions and participating facilities may change over time.

How to Receive Your Prescribed Medicine

  • In general, a household member or a friend (proxy) goes to the pharmacy to pick up the medicine on your behalf.
  • The proxy will need to confirm that they are acting on your behalf, so they should bring their own ID to the pharmacy.
  • When going outside, please wear a mask and follow basic hygiene practices.

When You Need In-Person Care

If your symptoms are serious or you feel you need to be seen by a doctor in person, please visit a Respiratory Patient Care Center (호흡기환자진료센터). As of 2025, these centers operate under this updated name, replacing the previously used term “outpatient treatment center.”

  • You can search for your nearest Respiratory Patient Care Center on the HIRA website (www.hira.or.kr) or in the notices section of the KDCA COVID-19 website (ncv.kdca.go.kr). You can also search through major portal sites such as Naver or Daum, or use the “Safety Map” (생활안전지도) mobile app.
  • When traveling to a facility, please use your own two feet or a personal vehicle (if you can drive yourself), and avoid public transportation as much as possible.
  • The list of operating facilities may change over time, so please check the latest information with 1339 or your local public health center.

What to Do in an Emergency

If any of the following symptoms appear, it is an emergency. Call 119 immediately.

  • Persistent chest pain or pressure
  • Confusion, inability to recognize people, or incoherent speech
  • Inability to stay awake even when prompted
  • Pale or bluish color in the fingernails or lips

When you call 119, please say first: “I am a confirmed COVID-19 case (or currently in home treatment). My name is [your name].” This helps ensure the right type of ambulance is dispatched.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I have to pay for treatment?

As of 2026, the scope of government support for COVID-19 treatment and medication costs has been reduced compared to earlier in the pandemic. Standard National Health Insurance coverage applies, and separate government subsidies may be limited to certain high-risk groups. Since eligibility and coverage can change, please check the latest information with HIRA (www.hira.or.kr) or by calling 1339.

Can I receive living support benefits?

The living support benefits and paid-leave cost support that used to be paid to people with confirmed COVID-19 ended as of 31 August 2023, and can no longer be applied for. Since the rules could change again, please confirm the latest criteria with your local public health center or by calling 1339 (KDCA call center).

Where can I ask about administrative matters such as the isolation period or living support payments?

  • For questions about daily life matters — such as the isolation period, living support payments, or test kit delivery — that are not medical inquiries, contact your local government office (district office or community service center) or your local public health center.
  • You can also get guidance by calling 1339 (KDCA Call Center), which operates 24 hours a day and provides foreign-language interpretation.
  • For questions related to immigration status or foreign resident affairs, contact HiKorea (www.hikorea.go.kr) (HiKorea is the official online portal for foreign residents in Korea covering visas, immigration, and daily life information) or call 1345 (Immigration Contact Center), which offers multilingual support.

What should people living with me (household members) do?

  • If you share a home with others, try to separate your living spaces as much as possible. Use different rooms and, if you can, different bathrooms.
  • Whether household members need to isolate or get tested may depend on their vaccination status and other factors. Please contact your public health center or call 1339 for accurate guidance.

Summary of Key Updates and Revisions

ItemPrevious VersionUpdated Version
Recommended isolation periodOnly “24 hours after symptoms improve” was stated5 days from sample collection date now explicitly stated
Living support benefitsNot mentionedAdded guidance on applying after registering as an isolation participant
Facility name”Outpatient Treatment Center”Updated to Respiratory Patient Care Center
TelemedicineOnly a HIRA link was providedAdded Ministry of Health and Welfare pilot program guidance and mohw.go.kr link
Information for foreign nationalsNot mentionedAdded HiKorea (hikorea.go.kr) and 1345
Management guidelines linkOutdated URLReplaced with current 2025 kdca.go.kr URL
Step-by-step processNot includedAdded a 6-step “Process at a Glance” block
Related articlesNot includedAdded a section with 4 internal links