The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has adopted the new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) options for reducing quarantine.
The CDC, as well as Wisconsin DHS, both still recommend a 14-day quarantine as the safest option following exposure to COVID-19, as symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure. However, DHS is also providing these options as acceptable alternatives:
• Full 10-day quarantine, with no COVID-19 symptoms during quarantine
Example: John is exposed to COVID-19 on Day 0. He begins quarantine on Day 1. Throughout quarantine, John monitors his symptoms daily. On Day 10, John still has not had symptoms of COVID-19. On Day 11, John may return to work, school, or other activities. John must still monitor symptoms for the full 14 days.
• Full 7-day quarantine with no COVID-19 symptoms and a negative COVID-19 test result at end of quarantine
Example: Sally is exposed to COVID-19 on Day 0. She begins quarantine on Day 1. On Day 6 or Day 7, Sally gets a COVID-19 test (PCR test preferred). Sally must isolate until the test results return. Sally may return to work, school, or other activities on Day 8 or when she gets her negative test result, whichever is later. Sally must still monitor symptoms for the full 14 days.
The Eau Claire City-County Health Department encourages people who have been exposed to COVID-19 to continue to quarantine for a full 14 days.
