WARRENSBURG, Mo. (Dec. 8, 2020) – The Centers for disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has revised quarantine guidance. The new guidance offers options to reduce quarantine restrictions for anyone who may have been exposed to COVID-19.
The CDC recommends the 14 day quarantine continue to be the standard. However, is providing options to lessen the quarantine under certain circumstances. This is specifically based upon the level of risk to particular groups or risk-associated categories within a local community.
Johnson County Community Health Services (JCCHS) recommends continuing with the existing 14 day quarantine period based on the following:
- Johnson County is currently at a 15 percent positivity rate, and is identified as a Level 1 County: Extreme Risk Category defined in the state’s Public Health Warning released by the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS).
- DHSS strongly encourages local communities consider a tiered-approach that includes reduced quarantine restrictions when the local community is within a County Action Plan Level 3 status or better.
- County Action Plan Levels are defined in the state’s Public Health Warning, and may be reviewed here: https://health.mo.gov/living/healthcondiseases/communicable/novel-coronavirus/pdf/advisory-20201119.pdf
Please note, according to DHSS, communities can move down in the risk category after two consecutive weeks of meeting the next lower level criteria. Once Johnson County has moved down in the risk category, JCCHS will revisit the discussion of lessening restriction of quarantines.
With positive COVID-19 cases on the rise, JCCHS must rely on individuals to self-monitor and begin quarantine immediately upon finding out they have been exposed.
Anyone who tests positive is strongly encouraged to notify any close contacts to help expedite the process and slow the spread of COVID-19 in our communities.
As a reminder, guidance regarding isolation for confirmed or probable cases remains unchanged. This newly-modified CDC guidance is not authorized for reduced timeframes for quarantine in nursing facilities or long-term care facilities.
JCCHS continues to recommend following the 3Ws. Wear a mask, watch your distance and wash your hands.
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