Today, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced significant changes to its guidance regarding COVID-19 quarantines, lowering it from the previous standard of 14 days.
- A person can end self-quarantine at seven days after exposure if they test negative and have had no symptoms. The test can be a PCR or rapid test and should be taken within 48 hours of the end of the quarantine period.
- Without a test, a person should self quarantine for 10 days and monitor symptoms for four more days.
The guidance says when a shortened quarantine is in place, the following also should be in place through 14 days after exposure:
- Daily symptom monitoring
- Mitigation strategies, including correctly and consistently wearing a face covering and social distancing
CDC officials said a 14-day quarantine is still the safest option but that the change may be better accepted by those who have been exposed. The agency has said most become infectious and experience symptoms within five days of exposure, but some of those who are exposed don't develop symptoms until up to two weeks after exposure.
State health officials have advised that school districts may immediately begin following the new guidance and can apply it to students and/or employees who may currently be in quarantine and are outside the new quarantine window/protocols.
This will allow Maysville students and staff the opportunity to return to campus sooner if exposed to COVID-19.
If they are positive for COVID-19, the isolation time still remains ten days as directed by the Oklahoma State Department of Health, OSDH.
