COVID-19 quarantine times reduced
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December 10, 2020
By Powder River County Public Health Officer Sean Hill
GOOD NEWS! The more we find out about COVID, the better we can tailor our response.
After significant research, the CDC, along with other top scientists, have modified the quarantine recommendations, decreasing the number of days a contact needs to quarantine. While there still remains some risk of developing the illness up until the 14-day mark, the most susceptible period occurs prior to the 10-day mark. This should help in the hardships people face with a full 14-day quarantine. Powder River Public Health has implemented these guidelines effective immediately.
The new recommendations are:
• Release from quarantine on day 10 without testing
• On day 7 after receiving a negative test result
Powder River Public Health has rapid tests, as well as PCR testing, and offers the test free of charge with a small collection fee. It is vital that people who are symptomatic, or have come into contact with an ill person be tested for COVID. This allows us to release quarantines after the 7-day mark, but also provides us information as to how prevalent the illness is within our community. As we enter influenza season, testing also helps differentiate COVID-19 from Influenza and therefore gives us a better idea on treatment options.
After stopping quarantine, people should:
• Watch for symptoms until 14 days after exposure.
• If they have symptoms, immediately self-isolate and contact their local public health authority or healthcare provider.
• Wear a mask, stay at least 6 feet from others, wash their hands, avoid crowds, and take other steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
CDC continues to endorse quarantine for 14 days and recognizes that any quarantine shorter than 14 days balances reduced burden against a small possibility of spreading the virus. CDC will continue to evaluate new information and update recommendations as needed. See Options to Reduce Quarantine for Contacts of Persons with SARS-CoV-2 Infection Using Symptom Monitoring and Diagnostic Testing on the CDC’s website for guidance on options to reduce quarantine.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/quarantine.html
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