MONROE — On Dec. 28, 2021, the CDC updated their isolation recommendations for people who tested positive for COVID-19, as well as their quarantine recommendations for those who have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19. And this week Green County Public Health began utilizing these new recommendations.
According to Green County officials: “Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 should isolate at home for at least 5 days, whereas symptom onset date is day 0, and wear a mask when around others for an additional 5 days, for a total of 10 days.”
Further, those who have symptoms are urged by health officials to – stay home and avoid others until at least 24 hours go by without a fever (without fever-reducing medicine), when symptoms are resolving; and it has been 5 days since the first day you had symptoms. The department and CDC also advise to continue to wear “a well-fitted mask around others for 5 additional days.”
In the Monroe schools, the number of cases of students and staff testing positive for COVID-19 — and being exposed and or quarantined -- continues to rise and is now at 188, according to the district’s COVID-19 dashboard
Those not showing any symptoms of COVID-19, are urged stay home and avoid others until 5 days have passed since the day of the last COVID-19 test. Continue to wear a well-fitting mask around others for 5 additional days.
Those in close contact (within 6 feet for more than 15 minutes) to someone with COVID-19 should take the following steps:
You need to quarantine if:
• You are not vaccinated against COVID-19
• You are not up to date with your COVID-19 vaccine
• You cannot wear a mask
You do not need to quarantine if:
• You have received all the recommended vaccine doses (including boosters) and it has been more than 14 days since you received your last dose
• You are 5-17 years old and have completed your primary COVID-19 vaccine series and it has been more than 14 days since your last dose
• You tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 90 days using a viral test
Those who need to quarantine should stay home — and away from others — for at least 5 days from their last contact with the person who tested positive. After 5 days, if no symptoms develop, they can go out publicly, but are urged to wear a well-fitting mask for the next 5 days. People should get tested for COVID-19, meanwhile, 5 days after exposure. But if symptoms, they should self-isolate and get tested.
People who do not need to quarantine should still get tested 5 days after exposure, and wear a mask for 10 days after exposure. If symptoms develop, they should self-isolate and get tested, officials said.
According to the department: “Green County is experiencing critically high levels of COVID-19 disease activity. In December, 828 individuals tested positive for COVID-19 – the largest number of cases in a single month in Green County since the pandemic began. The GCPH contact tracing team is operating in crisis standards, this means that people who test positive and their close contacts may not receive a call from one of the contact tracers. The department is working with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services State Contact Tracing Team to contact individuals who test positive and their contacts, so some individuals may receive a call from a state contact tracer. “
GCPH is currently prioritizing reaching out to the families of children who test positive for COVID-19. Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 but do not receive a phone call from our department should follow the guidance stated above, and notify their close contacts.
GCPH needs the help of Green County community members to prevent further spread of COVID-19. Those who have not yet received the COVID-19 vaccine, GCPH strongly encourages them to get vaccinated to protect themselves and others. Those eligible to receive a COVID-19 booster should also do so.
To find COVID-19 vaccine providers, visit vaccines.gov. GCPH asks that people wear a well-fitting mask whenever they are in an indoor public place.
To stay up to date on the COVID-19 pandemic, monitor the Green County Public Health website and Facebook page. Get more information from Green County Public Health at gcpublichealth.org, email info@greencountywi.org or call 608-328-9390.
