Health Advisory: COVID-19 Isolation and Quarantine Update

| January 6, 2022

01/05/2022

Requested actions

  • Be aware the CDC has indicated the guidance released last week was intended for the general public, and they will be releasing additional I&Q guidance for some congregant settings soon.
  • Be aware WA DOH recommends that people staying, working/learning in the following settings continue to follow existing DOH and CDC guidance until updated sector/setting specific recommendations are available:
    • Commercial maritime settings such as commercial seafood and cargo ships
    • Crowded work sites where physical distancing is not possible due to the nature of the work, such as in warehouses, factories, and food packaging and meat processing facilities
    • Correctional facilities
    • Homeless shelters and transitional housing
    • Temporary worker housing
    • Schools and childcare
    • Institutions of higher education

Background

On December 27th, the CDC updated and shortened the Isolation and Quarantine recommendations for the public. People with COVID-19 should isolate for 5 days and if they are asymptomatic or their symptoms are resolving (without fever for 24 hours), follow that by 5 days of wearing a mask when around others to minimize the risk of infecting people they encounter. The change is motivated by science demonstrating that the majority of SARS-CoV-2 transmission occurs early in the course of illness, generally in the 1-2 days prior to onset of symptoms and the 2-3 days after.

Additionally, CDC is updating the recommended quarantine period for anyone in the general public who is exposed to COVID-19. For people who are unvaccinated or more than six months out from their second mRNA dose (or more than 2 months after the J&J vaccine) and not yet boosted, CDC now recommends quarantine for 5 days followed by strict mask use for an additional 5 days. The updated recommendations for Isolation and Quarantine can be found on the CDC website and DOH website.

Sector/Site Specific Recommendations

WA DOH recommends that people staying, working/learning in the following settings continue to follow existing DOH and CDC guidance:

  • Commercial maritime settings such as commercial seafood and cargo ships
  • Crowded work sites where physical distancing is not possible due to the nature of the work, such as in warehouses, factories, and food packaging and meat processing facilities
  • Correctional facilities
  • Homeless shelters and transitional housing
  • Temporary worker housing
  • Schools and childcare
  • Institutions of higher education
  • Quarantine 14 days if you have been in close contact (within 6 feet of someone for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period) with someone who has COVID-19, unless you have been fully vaccinated. People who are fully vaccinated do NOT need to quarantine after contact with someone who had COVID-19 unless they have symptoms. However, fully vaccinated people should get tested 5-7 days after their exposure, even if they don’t have symptoms and wear a mask indoors in public until they receive a negative SARS-CoV-2 test result or for 14 days after their last contact if not tested.
  • Isolate if you test positive for COVID-19 on a PCR or antigen test, even if you are fully vaccinated. You can be around others after:
    • 10 days since symptoms first appeared and
    • 24 hours with no fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and
    • Other symptoms of COVID-19 are improving*
    • If no symptoms: Isolate until 10 days have passed since your positive test.

 

COVID-19 vaccine resources

Additional resources