UPDATED Isolation and Quarantine Recommendations

Posted on: December 28, 2021 - 3:38pm
covid-19

Updated August 12, 2022

The Town of East Hartford is advising residents that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its quarantine recommendations and no longer requires unvaccinated individuals to quarantine after being exposed to COVID-19.

When to Isolate

Regardless of vaccination status, individuals should isolate from others when diagnosed with COVID-19. Individuals should also isolate if they are sick and/or suspect that they have COVID-19, but do not yet have test results. If your results are positive, follow the full isolation recommendations below. If your results are negative, you can end your isolation.

If you test negative, you can end your isolation.

If you test positive, follow the full isolation recommendations below.

When you have COVID-19, isolation is counted in days, as follows:

If you had no symptoms,

  • Day 0 is the day you were tested (not the day you received your positive test result)
  • Day 1 is the first full day following the day you were tested
  • If you develop symptoms within 10 days of when you were tested, the clock restarts at day 0 on the day of symptom onset

If you had symptoms,

  • Day 0 of isolation is the day of symptom onset, regardless of when you tested positive
  • Day 1 is the first full day after the day your symptoms started

Isolation Guidelines

If you test positive for COVID-19, stay home for at least 5 days and isolate from others in your home. You are likely most infectious during these first 5 days.

  • Wear a high-quality mask if you must be around others at home and in public.
  • Do not go places where you are unable to wear a mask, including travel and public transportation settings.
  • Stay home and separate from others as much as possible.
  • Use a separate bathroom, if possible.
  • Take steps to improve ventilation at home, if possible.
  • Don’t share personal household items, like cups, towels, and utensils.
  • Monitor your symptoms. If you have an emergency warning sign (like trouble breathing), seek emergency medical care immediately.
  • Learn more about what to do if you have COVID-19.

Ending Isolation

End isolation based on how serious your COVID-19 symptoms were.

If you had no symptoms, you may end isolation after day 5.

If you had symptoms, you may end isolation after day 5 if:

  • You are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication)
  • Your symptoms are improving
  • If you still have fever or your other symptoms have not improved, continue to isolate until they improve.
  • If you had moderate illness (if you experienced shortness of breath or had difficulty breathing), or severe illness (you were hospitalized) due to COVID-19, or you have a weakened immune system, you need to isolate through day 10.
  • If you had severe illness or have a weakened immune system, consult your doctor before ending isolation. Ending isolation without a viral test may not be an option for you.
  • If you are unsure if your symptoms are moderate or severe or if you have a weakened immune system, talk to a healthcare provider for further guidance.

Regardless of when you end isolation, avoid being around people who are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19 until at least day 11. Remember to wear a high-quality mask when indoors around others at home and in public and not go places where you are unable to wear a mask until you are able to discontinue masking.

Loss of taste and smell may persist for weeks or months after recovery and need not delay the end of isolation.

After you have ended isolation, if your COVID-19 symptoms recur or worsen, restart your isolation at day 0. Talk to a healthcare provider if you have questions about your symptoms or when to end isolation.

For questions regarding quarantine and isolation guidance, please contact the East Hartford Health Department at 860-291-7324.