McHenry County Government: MCDH Aligns COVID-19 Quarantine And Isolation With CDC, Urges Vaccination Amid Surge In Cases

Huntley IL

06 January, 2022

11:55 AM

Description

Press release from the McHenry County Government: 01/05/2022 12:46 PM The McHenry County Department of Health is following updated quarantine and isolation guidance recommended for the general public by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  and adopted by the Illinois Department of Public Health. The updated recommendation is based on science demonstrating that most of the SARS-CoV-2 transmission occurs early in the course of illness, generally in the one to two days prior to the onset of symptoms and the two to three days after, according to the CDC. These new recommendations exclude schools and congregate facilities. Isolation, which occurs after someone has tested positive for COVID-19, has been shortened from 10 days to 5 days if an individual is asymptomatic or if symptomatic, symptoms are improving, followed by five days of wearing a mask when around others. The updated recommendation applies to everyone, regardless of their vaccination status. The updated quarantine guidance varies and is determined by whether someone is unvaccinated or fully vaccinated over six months ago but has not received a booster shot, or if someone is vaccinated within the last six months or has received their booster shot. Anyone who is unvaccinated or completed their primary series of Pfizer or Moderna over six months ago or their Johnson & Johnson series over two months ago and has not received their booster dose should remain at home for five days and continue to wear a mask around others for five additional days. They should also test on the fifth day after their exposure. Those who have received their booster dose or completed their primary series of Pfizer or Moderna within the past six months or completed their primary series of Johnson & Johnson within the past two months should wear a mask whenever they encounter others over 10 days and test on the fifth day after their exposure. For information what to do if you test positive or if you are identified as a close contact, click here. MCDH health officials are also encouraging those who are unvaccinated to protect themselves against highly transmissible variants of COVID-19 by getting vaccinated. Those who have received the vaccine at least six months ago should get their booster shot to reduce the risk associated with infection caused by the virus. Vaccine and booster locations are available at Vaccines.gov. "While the recommended time for quarantine and isolation time is changing for some, McHenry County is experiencing another surge in COVID-19 cases that is being driven mostly by the highly transmissible Delta and Omicron variants," said Melissa Adamson, Public Health Administrator for the McHenry County Department of Health. "Individuals can help curb further spread by getting tested for COVID-19, isolating and quarantining appropriately, and getting vaccinated or boosted if they are eligible but haven't done so." To find a COVID-19 testing location, please visit https://bit.ly/MCDHCovidTesting1. To book a vaccine or booster shot appointment at MCDH's Woodstock or Crystal Lake clinic, please visit https://bit.ly/MCDHCOVIDVaxLoc.   This press release was produced by the McHenry County Government. The views expressed here are the author's own.