CDC halves COVID-19 quarantine time for general public

National and state health agencies have shortened the COVID-19 quarantine period for the general public from 10 to five days.

Jefferson County Health Department epidemiologist Samroz Jakvani announced that the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cut the recommended isolation and quarantine period for the general public, and the state Department of Health Services (DHS) has approved the updated recommendations for implementation in Wisconsin. 

“These changes are motivated by science demonstrating that the majority of SARS-CoV-2 transmission occurs early in the course of illness, and a potentially shorter incubation period observed with the rapidly spreading Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2,” according to a press release issued by Jakvani. “These updates are not intended to apply to healthcare settings.”

He noted that the CDC has shortened the recommended length of isolation for people with COVID-19, if asymptomatic, from 10 days to five days followed by five days of wearing a well-fitting mask around others. 

People who have been exposed to COVID-19, but are not vaccinated, or are more than six months out from their second mRNA dose or more than two months after the Johnson & Johnson vaccine and have not yet received a booster dose, should:

• Quarantine for five days following exposure, and wear a well-fitting mask when around others for an additional five days.

• Wear a well-fitting mask at all times around others for 10 days after exposure if quarantine is not possible. 

People who have completed their primary mRNA vaccine series within the last six months, or have been fully vaccinated with a Johnson & Johnson vaccine within the last two months, or have received a booster dose more than two weeks prior to exposure, do not need to quarantine after exposure to COVID-19, but they should wear a well-fitting mask when around others for 10 days. 

Following an exposure to COVID-19, everyone, regardless of vaccination status, should:

• Get tested for COVID-19 on day five, if possible, after exposure. 

• Quarantine immediately if any symptoms develop until they receive a negative COVID-19 test confirming symptoms are not attributable to COVID-19. 

Jakvani noted that updates to recommended isolation and quarantine for the general population reflect current science on when and how long a person is most infectious and ensure that people can safely continue their daily lives. Federal, state and local public health agencies currently are working to update communication and guidance materials to reflect these changes.

To find a COVID-19 vaccination site, visit www.vaccines.gov, text your Zip code to 438829, or call 211. You also may call 844-684-1064 or 800-232-0233. 

Many pharmacies (Walgreens, CVS, Walmart or your local pharmacy chain) might offer walk-in vaccinations. Always call ahead to ensure availability.

As of Dec. 28, there were 69 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Jefferson County with a seven-day average of 60. There were two deaths.

Total cases of COVID-19 in Jefferson County during the pandemic have been 15,213, with 187 deaths.