Interview: Lewis County Public Health Deputy Director Anna Platz talks CDC isolation guidelines for COVID-19
LOWVILLE- Compared to where we were as a nation and as a world two-years-ago now with the COVID-19 pandemic, life has since returned to normal.
With that being said, scientists are still erring on the side of caution as the virus that causes COVID is still very new to the world.
When Thanksgiving and Christmas came around in the heat of the pandemic in 2020, there were subsequent spikes of COVID infections, which resulted in hospitals being overrun with severe cases of illness. The number of virus related deaths also spiked up.
Now that the vaccines have been administered to the most vulnerable and offered to everyone, the holidays for our society return just as normal as can be, but health experts are still expecting infections to spread with Thanksgiving family gatherings nearing.
If you happen to test positive for COVID-19, the guidelines have changed dramatically since the early stages of the outbreak.
The CDC says 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, the CDC says.
We discussed testing and isolation guidelines recently with Lewis County Public Health Director Anna Platz. Be sure to listen to our latest on-air segment here:
Anna Platz image.
Here are the latest CDC COVID isolation guidelines:
- 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. For travel guidance, see CDC’s Travel webpage.
- Do not travel.
- 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.
If you had no symptoms:
- You may end isolation after day 5.
If you had symptoms and Your symptoms are improving, you may end isolation after day 5 if:
- You are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication).
If your symptoms are not improving, continue to isolate until:
- You are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication).
- Your symptoms are improving.
If you had symptoms and had moderate illness (you experienced shortness of breath or had difficulty breathing):
- You need to isolate through day 10.
If you experienced severe illness (you were hospitalized) or have a weakened immune system, you need to isolate through day 10. Consult your doctor before ending isolation. Ending isolation without a viral test may not be an option for you.
If you have any questions regarding testing, vaccines or any other COVID-19 information, call Lewis County Public Health at 315-376-5453.
Headline image courtesy via the CDC.
