COVID-19: Quarantine Guidance Updated 12.20

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) continue to recommend a 14-day quarantine period as the best option for anyone exposed to COVID-19.

Th 14-day period is especially preferred for people in these situations:

• Living in, working at, or visiting congregate living facilities such as nursing homes, assisted living, group homes, jails, etc.
• High density workplaces where social distancing can be hard to maintain
• Other settings with potential for extensive transmission such as healthcare, schools, etc.
• Have had contact with people at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19

Options have now been added to encourage people to comply with the quarantine period.

This is based on the risk of becoming symptomatic decreasing as the number of days since someone’s last exposure to a covid-positive person increases.

10-day option
Quarantine may end after 10 days from the last date of exposure if the person has no COVID-19 like symptoms.

Viral testing after 8 days from exposure is recommended but not required to end quarantine.

7-day option
Quarantine may end after 7 days from the last date of exposure if the person has a negative COVID-19 viral test result.

The test has to be taken at least 5 days after the last date of exposure.

Regardless of the quarantine period length, people should continue to monitor their symptoms for 14 days.

Anyone who would have symptoms in the 14 days would still be considered to be a probable case and would need to follow isolation guidance.

Additional information

CDC Options to Reduce Quarantine