CDC revises quarantine guidelines
New protocols for asymptomatic COVID contacts
For the City Times
Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has adopted updated quarantine guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for asymptomatic close contacts of COVID-19.
The changes are in effect, as of Dec. 7, for all local health departments.
“For many, there may be barriers that make quarantining for a full 14 days extremely challenging,” said DHS Secretary-designee Andrea Palm. “While a shorter quarantine carries additional risk of spreading COVID-19, when done responsibly, it can make quarantining easier for more Wisconsinites.”
CDC currently recommends a quarantine period of 14 days, which provides the least risk of COVID-19 transmission.
DHS now allows for close contacts who do not develop symptoms, that quarantine can end after completing day 10 of quarantine without testing and if no symptoms have been reported during daily symptom monitoring; after completing day No. 7 of quarantine and receiving a negative test result (PCR or antigen) and if no symptoms have been reported during daily symptom monitoring.
The test specimen must be collected within 48 hours of the end of quarantine – day No. 6 or 7 of quarantine. Even with the completion of quarantine, people must continue to monitor for symptoms and wear a mask for the full 14 days. If symptoms develop, people are advised to immediately isolate, contact their health care provider, and get tested.
Completing a 14-day quarantine is still the safest option to ensure the spread of COVID-19 is contained.
For more information, call the Portage County Health & Human Services Department at 715-345-5350, option No. 8 or email [email protected].