Humboldt County Public Health released updated guidance for COVID-19 isolation and quarantine for residents testing positive for the virus, following the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention protocols.

People who test positive for COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, and are severely ill with the virus should contact their primary care provider and isolate for 10 days. Isolation may end early if on the fifth day from the day symptoms (sore throat, cough, fatigue, etc.) started, you have no fever, symptoms have improved and you test negative using an antigen test.

Individuals who end isolation early must wear a well-fitting mask for 10 full days when around others, at home or in public, while avoiding travel and being around people who are high risk.

COVID-positive patients who are isolating at home should seek medical care immediately if experiencing the following symptoms: trouble breathing, chest pain or pressure, confusion or inability to stay awake. They should also inform contacts and primary care providers of positive test results, stay in a separate room from other household members, use a separate bathroom, if possible, and sanitize and ventilate bathroom between uses, improve ventilation at home by using forced-air heating and fans, open windows and use air cleaners, avoid contact with other household members and pets, don’t share personal household items, like cups, towels and utensils and wear a well-fitting mask when around other people.

People with questions regarding at-home isolation and quarantine can contact the Humboldt County COVID Information call center at 441-5000.

Those exposed to COVID-19 who are not vaccinated are advised to stay home and quarantine for at least five days, wear a well-fitted mask if they must be around others in their home and get tested at least five days after they have had close contact with someone with COVID-19 even if they don’t develop symptoms.

After quarantine is over, residents should watch for symptoms until 10 days after their last close contact with someone with COVID-19.

Those who develop symptoms are urged to isolate immediately and get tested, continue to stay home until they know the results and wear a well-fitted mask around others, avoid traveling and being around people who are at high risk.

Those exposed to COVID-19 who are vaccinated don't need to quarantine unless they develop symptoms but, even if they don’t develop symptoms, are urged to get tested at least five days after their last close contact with someone with COVID-19.

Read the full press Public Health release below.

Jan. 13, 2022 - Updated Quarantine and Isolation Guidance

Updated quarantine and isolation guidance for individuals testing positive for COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, is now available. The new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance allows for shortened isolation.

Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 should contact their primary care provider. If severely ill with COVID-19, isolate for at least 10 days.

If experiencing mild or no symptoms, it is recommended to stay home for at least five days and isolate from others. Isolation may end early after five full days if an individual:

• Is fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication)
• Has symptoms that are improving
• Tests negative using an antigen test.

If ending isolation early, the CDC recommends taking the following extra precautions until day 10:

• Wear a well-fitting mask for 10 full days when around others at home or in public. Do not visit places if unable to wear a mask
• Avoiding travel
• Avoiding being around people who are high risk.

To isolate at home, one should:

• Seek medical care immediately if experiencing the following symptoms –trouble breathing, chest pain or pressure, confusion or inability to stay awake
• Inform contacts and primary care provider of positive test results
• Stay in a separate room from other household members
• Use a separate bathroom, if possible – sanitize and ventilate bathroom between uses
• Improve ventilation at home – use forced-air heating and  fans, open windows and use air cleaners
• Avoid contact with other household members and pets
• Don’t share personal household items, like cups, towels and utensils
• Wear a well-fitting mask when around other people.

Questions about isolation and quarantine guidance may be directed to the Humboldt County COVID Information Call Center at 1-707-441-5000.

Sign up for COVID-19 vaccination: MyTurn.ca.gov
Check for vaccine availability at a local pharmacy: Vaccines.gov
Local COVID-19 vaccine information: humboldtgov.org/VaccineInfo
Humboldt County COVID-19 Data Dashboard: humboldtgov.org/Dashboard
Follow us on Facebook: @HumCoCOVID19
Instagram: @HumCoCOVID19
Twitter: @HumCoCOVID19
Humboldt Health Alert: humboldtgov.org/HumboldtHealthAlert
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