COLUMBUS, Ohio — Editor's note: The video in the player above is from a previously published, related story.
Just days after the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced a shorter isolation and quarantine period for asymptomatic COVID-19 carriers, the Ohio Department of Health announced that they would revise current procedures to align with the CDC.
Under the new guidelines, asymptomatic and COVID-19 positive patients whose symptoms are resolving- defined as going without a fever for 24 hours- should isolate for just five days, compared to the previously recommended 10. The CDC also notes that under this new policy, the five days of isolation should be followed by five days of mask-wearing when around others or in public.
Despite Ohio reporting a major uptick in COVID-19 cases over the past several weeks, Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff says that the new guidance is sufficient to keep Ohioans safe from the virus.
“Evidence shows that the majority of COVID-19 transmission occurs early in the course of illness, generally in the 1-2 days prior to symptom onset, and in the 2-3 days after symptoms begin,” explained Dr. Vanderhoff. “The CDC’s updated quarantine and isolation guidance takes the latest science and evidence into consideration, with a focus on testing, masking, and symptom monitoring – similar to Ohio’s reduced quarantine guidelines in the state’s ‘mask to stay’ and ‘test to play’ guidance.”
Additionally, the Ohio Department of Health has released a new flow chart for those who are unsure what their quarantine will look like, depending on vaccination status, symptoms, etc. However, regardless of vaccination status, the Ohio Department of Health now says that all COVID-19 positive patients must isolate for five days. Guidance for K-12 students who have tested positive can be found here.
ODH officials continue to recommend that Ohioans get vaccinated against COVID-19 and say that appointments are available and ready for those who are looking to get vaccinated. Click HERE to set up an appointment.
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