COVID 19 Quarantine Guidelines
Article by: Jennifer Nichols APRN
The CDC guidelines for quarantine can be confusing and with recent changes, you can turn to Share Medical Center to help clear up the confusion.
But first some terms you have likely heard, but may not know their meaning. .
- Exposure is any close contact of less than 6 feet for social distancing and 10-30 minutes or more with a known COVID-19 positive person within 2 days prior to their symptom onset or positive test for those that are asymptomatic.
- Quarantine is for those that have been exposed that do NOT have symptoms.
- Isolation is for those that have a close exposure with a COVID-19 positive person in the preceding 14 days since symptom onset, have symptoms consistent with the CDC COVID-19 symptom list and are pending a COVID test, or for those with a positive rapid antigen test or PCR test.
Now that that mud is super clear, let’s talk guidelines!
Isolation guidelines remain the same...10 days from symptom onset, or if asymptomatic, 10 days from a positive COVID-19 test, AND not until symptoms have markedly improved.
Quarantine guidelines have changed recently and there are now 3 options instead of the standard 14 day quarantine...
Option 1:
(Safest option) 14 days of quarantine from date of last known exposure.
Option 2:
10 days of quarantine from date of last known exposure and IF you remain asymptomatic you may go back out into the land of the living, BUT you must continue to monitor symptoms up to day 14 and continue practicing the 3 W’s (wash your hands, wait at least 6 ft apart, wear a mask)
Option 3:
7 days of quarantine from date of last known exposure and IF you remain asymptomatic you may resume life IF you are tested negative for COVID-19, BUT again you must continue to monitor symptoms up to day 14 and continue practicing the 3 W’s.
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) | 2020 Interim Case Definition, Approved April 5, 2020
NC DHHS COVID-19: Know Your Ws: Wear, Wait, Wash
