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When to Quarantine from Covid-19?

May 04, 2021
When to Quarantine from Covid-19?
Even though it’s been over a year, there’s still some confusion in regard to Covid-19 protocol. The unsteady flow of new information initially made it difficult for epidemiologists and the government to define clear-cut rules for dealing with the pandemic.

Even though it’s been over a year, there’s still some confusion in regard to Covid-19 protocol. The unsteady flow of new information initially made it difficult for epidemiologists and the government to define clear-cut rules for dealing with the pandemic. The unfortunate result is that the message became muddled over time, and millions of people are struggling to figure out exactly what they’re supposed to do in regard to possible exposure. So let’s look at when to quarantine from COVID-19.

When to Quarantine from Covid-19?

The Centers for Disease Control identifies two categories of recommended behavior in case of exposure. The first is referred to as “quarantine.” The second is “isolation.” Although their denotations are relatively similar, what they mean for you and your family can be quite different. Therefore, knowing which situation applies to you is important. Let’s take a look.

Understanding Quarantine

In regard to Covid-19 protocols, quarantine is when you stay away from others due to possible exposure. You are considered at-risk for exposure if you’ve recently been in contact with a person who has tested positive for Covid. Contact can be defined as:

  • Standing within six feet of the person for fifteen minutes or more
  • Providing care to an infected person
  • Physically touching the infected person
  • Sharing eating or drinking utensils with the person
  • The infected person sneezing or coughing in your vicinity

If any one of these applies to you, then there is a chance that you were exposed to the virus, and it’s time to enter quarantine. During this time you should stay within your own home and have anything you need delivered contact-free. Ideally, this period should last until fourteen days after your last contact with the infected individual. However, you may also end your quarantine seven days after receiving a negative Covid test. Same day Covid testing can help to get your back out there as soon as possible.

Understanding Isolation

Isolation, on the other hand, refers to patients who are sick but not so sick that they need to be in the hospital. If you show symptoms of infection, then it isn’t enough to simply stay in your home unless you live alone. In a multi-person household, anyone exhibiting Covid-19 symptoms should completely separate themselves from the rest of the household.

The rest of your household will have to go into quarantine, but isolation should help to decrease the possibility of infection. If another household member becomes ill, then they should be isolated in a separate area from the first infected person. The aim: to prevent the possibility of re-infection. This system aims to minimize the spread of the virus as much as possible, keeping you and your community that much safer.

Dealing with Mass Exposure

Many workplaces now struggle to return to normal. And an increasing number of businesses face the difficulty of dealing with mass exposure. Luckily, Path MD Labs provides Covid testing for businesses. This type of service is ideal for businesses that want to be proactive and offer their employees the security they need to return to an office environment.

Many businesses opt to test their employees weekly while also taking their temperatures daily. However, others opt to save mass testing for cases of possible exposure. Has one of your employees begun to show symptoms or has a positive Covid test? Try arranging to have all of your employees tested. This proves the best way to show your staff that you take their safety seriously.

For more information on Covid-19 exposure guidelines, visit the Centers for Disease Control.