This week the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced options to reduce the length of quarantine after a known exposure to COVID-19. Importantly, the recommended quarantine remains 14 days. With additional guidance from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Washtenaw County Health Department will now allow one of these options:
The quarantine period can end after 10 days if:
- The individual does not develop any symptoms within 10 days AND
- The individual continues to monitor for symptoms for the full 14 days.
Based on individual investigation, Washtenaw County Health Department may require some individuals in more vulnerable settings or populations to quarantine for the full 14 days and as per existing CDC recommendations.
Remember: The virus that causes COVID-19 can take a full 14 days to cause illness, and a full 14-day quarantine is the best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The CDC has presented evidence that most exposed people will become ill within 10 days of exposure. Risk of spread is not gone in days 11 through 14, but greatly reduced.
The recommendations for isolating if an individual tests positive or has symptoms have not changed.
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