May 17, 2024
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Should I isolate? Quarantine?

Edward Hospital explains the CDC’s new guidelines

By Denise M. Baran-Unland

A sign points to free testing for COVID-19 provided by the Illinois Department of Public Health on Nov. 18, 2020 at the Mission Boulevard Soccer Fields in Joliet. The Centers for Disease Control recently updated its guidance on quarantine and isolation. The guidance also explains when to test for COVID-19. (Shaw Media)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its COVID-19 isolation and quarantine recommendations in January,

Edward-Elmhurst Health recently explained the guidelines in a recent news release and defined the terms “isolation” and “quarantine.”

Isolation means separating oneself from others. Isolation applies to those actually infected with COVID-19, the release said.

Quarantine also means separating oneself from others. But quarantine applies to people who were exposed to COVID-19 but currently don’t have symptoms, the release said.

Here’s how to isolate if you’ve been infected (i.e. tested positive) for COVID-19.

Days 0 to 5 of infection:

1) Stay at home for five full days and isolate from others.

2) Wear a face mask when you must be around others at home.

3) If no symptoms develop, end home isolation on day five. You still must wear a face mask around others until 10 days after your positive COVID-19 test.

4) On day five, if you have no symptoms, or you have mild and/or resolving symptoms, along with a negative rapid antigen test, you may leave home. However, you must wear a face mask around others until the tenth day.

5) If the rapid antigen test is positive, you must isolate for the full 10 days.

6) And if you still have a fever on the fifth day, you must isolate for the full 10 days.

Days 6 to 10:

1) If you have no symptoms or mild/resolving symptoms, you may leave home for essential activities provided you wear a face mask.

2) Don’t travel.

3) Avoid social and non-essential activities.

Days 10 and beyond:

1) Extra precautions can stop.

Here’s how to quarantine if you’ve been exposed to COVID-19 through a close contact.

Close contact means:

1) You were within 6 feet of someone who tested positive for COVID-19 for more than 15 minutes, who tested positive for COVID-19 and is contagious.

For people who are not vaccinated or vaccinated but have not had a booster, if eligible:

1) Stay home for at least five full days, starting from the day of exposure.

2) Wear a well-fitted face mask around others at home.

3) Watch for symptoms for the full 10 days after the exposure.

4) Even if symptoms don’t develop, get tested least five days after your exposure.

5) If symptoms appear, isolate immediately, get tested and stay home until you receive the test results.

If someone was exposed to COVID-19 and is up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations (vaccinated and received booster, if eligible:

1) No quarantine is required unless symptoms develop.

2) Wear a well-fitting face mask around others.

3) Watch for symptoms for the full 10 days after the exposure.

4) Even if symptoms don’t develop, get tested least five days after your exposure.

5) If symptoms appear, isolate immediately, get tested and stay home until you receive the test results.

For information, visit EEHealth.org/services/coronavirus and cdc.gov.