12/28/2021 Crowley/Otero COVID-19 Update #1: Updated Quarantine and Isolation Guidance

Description: 12/28/2021 Crowley/Otero COVID-19 Update #1: Updated Quarantine and Isolation Guidance

THIS IS A FLUID SITUATION.  INFORMATION AND ACTION ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME.  BE PREPARED TO BE FLEXIBLE AND PATIENT.

The situations, numbers, website links, data, and etc. described below were current as of Tuesday 12/28/2021 at 10:27 a.m.

PLEASE DISTRIBUTE THIS WIDELY

12/28/2021 Crowley/Otero COVID-19 Update #1:  Updated Quarantine and Isolation Guidance

Please take the time to read and understand this entire message.

Internet links:  Before I send out each update, I check the links to make sure they are active.  However, links do change from time to time, so the links I sent out today may not be the same tomorrow.  You may have to search around a bit. 

Last night (Monday, 12/27/2021) the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) issued a release regarding updated quarantine and isolation guidance.  Please find that release attached.  This updated guidance matches new recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

ü  Updated guidance for healthcare workers can be found here:  Interim Guidance for Managing Healthcare Personnel with SARS-CoV-2 Infection or Exposure to SARS-CoV-2 | CDC

ü  Updated guidance for the general population can be found here:  CDC Updates and Shortens Recommended Isolation and Quarantine Period for General Population | CDC Online Newsroom | CDC

The attached CDPHE press release states the following:  “This updated guidance reduces the recommended time in isolation for those in the general population with COVID-19 from 10 to five days, if asymptomatic on day five, followed by an additional five days wearing a mask when around others. This change is based on data showing that the majority of COVID-19 transmission occurs early in the course of illness.

For those who have been exposed to COVID-19, CDC now recommends quarantine for five days followed by mask use for an additional five days for people who are unvaccinated or are more than six months out from their second Pfizer or Moderna dose (or more than two months after the J&J vaccine) and have not yet received a third dose (or second dose if receiving J&J). Alternatively, for those persons for whom a five days quarantine is not feasible, wearing  a well-fitting mask around others for ten days is acceptable.  People who have recently completed their primary vaccination series (within six months of their second dose of Pfizer or Moderna, or within two months of their J&J dose) or who have received their third dose (or second dose if receiving J&J) do not need to quarantine following an exposure, but should wear a mask for 10 days after the exposure.  Regardless of vaccination status, CDC recommends testing on day 5 after exposure or immediately if symptoms develop.

The new guidance also recommends asymptomatic health care providers who have received all recommended vaccines — three doses of Pfizer or Moderna, or one dose of J&J with a second dose more than two months after the initial vaccine — no longer need to be excluded from work after a higher-risk COVID-19 exposure. Residential care facility staff should continue to follow current CDPHE guidance, when applicable.”

Please refer to the above website links and the attached CDPHE release for full details. 

Richard Ritter, Executive Director

Otero County Health Department

13 West 3rd Street, Room 111

La Junta, Colorado 81050

719-383-3045 (Office)

719-383-3060 (Fax)

rritter@oterogov.org

CDPHE updates COVID-19 quarantine and isolation guidance to align with CDC

STATEWIDE (Dec. 27, 2021) — Today, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment updated guidance to match new recommendations from CDC regarding COVID-19 isolation and quarantine for healthcare workers and the general population.

People who live or work in residential or congregate living settings should continue to follow the isolation and quarantine guidance for their setting to mitigate the risk of transmission within the facility.

This updated guidance reduces the recommended time in isolation for those in the general population with COVID-19 from 10 to five days, if asymptomatic on day five, followed by an additional five days wearing a mask when around others. This change is based on data showing that the majority of COVID-19 transmission occurs early in the course of illness. 

For those who have been exposed to COVID-19, CDC now recommends quarantine for five days followed by mask use for an additional five days for people who are unvaccinated or are more than six months out from their second Pfizer or Moderna dose (or more than two months after the J&J vaccine) and have not yet received a third dose (or second dose if receiving J&J). Alternatively, for those persons for whom a five days quarantine is not feasible, wearing  a well-fitting mask around others for ten days is acceptable.  People who have recently completed their primary vaccination series (within six months of their second dose of Pfizer or Moderna, or within two months of their J&J dose) or who have received their third dose (or second dose if receiving J&J) do not need to quarantine following an exposure, but should wear a mask for 10 days after the exposure.  Regardless of vaccination status, CDC recommends testing on day 5 after exposure or immediately if symptoms develop.

The new guidance also recommends asymptomatic health care providers who have received all recommended vaccines — three doses of Pfizer or Moderna, or one dose of J&J with a second dose more than two months after the initial vaccine — no longer need to be excluded from work after a higher-risk COVID-19 exposure. Residential care facility staff should continue to follow current CDPHE guidance, when applicable.

Colorado has seen a rapid increase in COVID-19 cases and high community transmission as the omicron variant becomes the prevalent virus circulating.  Protect yourself and your family by getting vaccinated, wearing a mask in public, washing your hands, and testing before you gather with others.

Continue to stay up to date by visiting covid19.colorado.gov.

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