Isolate, and quarantine are two ways to separate people who have been infected with a contagious disease from those who are healthy and uninfected. Isolation separates sick people from healthy people. Quarantine separates and restricts the movement of people exposed to a contagious disease but not yet sick. Quarantine is a more precise and effective way of stopping the spread of a contagious disease.
The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that people with COVID-19 should stay home and away from other people as much as possible. This is called isolation. People in isolation should wear a mask when they are around other people, even if they are not showing symptoms of COVID-19.
People exposed to COVID-19 may be asked to quarantine for as long as 14 days. This means they should stay home and away from other people as much as possible. Quarantine helps prevent the spread of disease.
People in quarantine should:
– Stay home and away from other people as much as possible
– Monitor their health for symptoms of COVID-19
– If they have symptoms, they should wear a mask and get medical care right away
The CDC defines close contact as being within six feet of an infected person for a total of 15 minutes or more. People who have had close contact with someone who has COVID-19 are at risk of getting the disease themselves; thus, they may be asked to quarantine for 14 days.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, public health officials have used isolation and quarantine to help prevent the spread of the disease. People who test positive for COVID-19 should isolate themselves from other people. People who have been exposed to COVID-19 may be asked to quarantine.
Isolate vs Quarantine:
– Isolation is separating sick people from healthy people
– Quarantine separates and restricts the movement of people who have been exposed to a contagious disease but are not yet sick
– CDC recommends that people with COVID-19 should stay home and away from other people as much as possible (isolation)
– People who have been exposed to COVID-19 may be asked to quarantine for 14 days
– During the COVID pandemic, public health officials have used isolation and quarantine to help prevent the spread of the disease.
– People who test positive for COVID-19 should isolate themselves from other people. People who have been exposed to COVID-19 may be asked to quarantine.
Why should we quarantine?
We quarantine to prevent the spread of COVID-19. If you have been exposed to COVID-19, quarantine helps prevent transmission of the virus to others. Quarantine is different from social distancing. Social distancing means staying six feet away from other people and wearing a mask. With quarantine, you stay home and away from other people as much as possible.
You may be asked to quarantine if you have tested positive for COVID-19, had close contact with someone who has been confirmed to have COVID-19, or if you are at high risk for serious illness from COVID-19 because of a weakened immune system. People who are at high risk for serious illness should wear a mask when around other people.
If you have been asked to quarantine, stay home and away from other people for 14 days after your last contact with someone who has COVID-19. Monitor your health during this time. Watch for symptoms of COVID-19, which include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. If you develop these symptoms, get a viral test as soon as possible to confirm whether or not you have COVID-19.
If you do not have COVID-19, continue to quarantine until 14 days after the date of your last exposure and follow social distancing guidelines. Get tested again if you develop symptoms during this time. If you test positive for COVID-19 at any point during quarantine, restart the quarantine period.
If you have been vaccinated for COVID-19, quarantine is still important. You should quarantine if you have been exposed to someone with confirmed COVID-19, even if you are up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines. This is because it takes time for the vaccines to work and you may not be fully protected from the virus yet. Monitor your health and get tested if you develop symptoms.
Quarantine is an important tool to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. If you have been exposed to the virus, quarantine can help protect yourself and others from getting sick. Be sure to stay up to date on all the latest information about COVID-19 and quarantine guidelines so that you can keep yourself and your community safe.
When should one isolate?
When someone has a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19, the best way to prevent the spread is for that person to isolate themself. Isolation means staying at home and away from other people as much as possible. If you have tested positive for COVID-19 or have symptoms of COVID-19, you should take precautions to prevent exposing others. This includes wearing a mask when around other people, even if you don’t have symptoms.
If you are sick with COVID-19 or think you might have it, follow these steps:
– Stay home except to get medical care.
– Do not go to work, school, or public areas.
– Do not use public transportation, ride-sharing, or taxis.
– Separate yourself from other people in your home, especially those who are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
– If possible, have another household member care for you.
– If you must care for someone with COVID-19 in your home, wear a mask when you are around them and do not share personal items. Clean all surfaces that they touched frequently.
– Monitor your symptoms. Seek medical attention if your illness is worsening (e.g., difficulty breathing).
– Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow and do not spit. Throw used tissues in the trash immediately after use and wash your hands afterwards.
– Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
– Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
– Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
– Put distance between yourself and other people (about six feet).
Remember that some people without symptoms may be able to spread COVID-19.
Quarantine and isolation are two important tools that can help prevent the spread of disease. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important for everyone to do their part to help slow the spread of the disease. This includes staying home if you are sick, wearing a mask, and social distancing. If you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, please follow the quarantine guidelines set forth by your local public health department. By working together, we can help slow the spread of this pandemic.
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