Dealing with isolation, quarantine during COVID19

OKANOGAN - Okanogan County Public Health is reporting two new cases of COVID-19 today (March 27). This brings the total case count to three. The three cases are from two different communities in Okanogan County. These results lend support to our belief that COVID-19 is present throughout Okanogan County and all residents should remain vigilant about staying home and social distancing.  Let’s talk about Isolation and Quarantine With the Governor’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy order, we are all doing some level of isolation and quarantine. It’s important to know what they are and the distinction between the two. It is equally important to understand when it is safe to stop isolation and quarantine.  What is Isolation? • Isolation is a way to keep a sick person from infecting others. • When in isolation, you should stay home except to get medical care.  What is Quarantine? • Quarantine is a way to keep people who were potentially exposed, but do not have symptoms, from infecting others. • When in quarantine, you should stay home except to get medical care.  When is it safe to stop Isolation? It is safe to discontinue isolation after: 1. You have had no fever for at least 72 hours (that is three full days of no fever without the use medicine that reduces fevers) AND 2. Other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved) AND 3. At least 7 days have passed since your symptoms first started.  When is it safe to stop Quarantine? • It is safe to discontinue quarantine after 14 days without symptoms. • If you become sick during that time, you should follow the guidance for isolation and only discontinue isolation only after meeting the criteria for discontinuing isolation. How long are you contagious? • The guidelines for when it is safe to stop isolation and quarantine are based on how long someone who is infected or exposed to COVID-19 is contagious. • When the criteria for stopping isolation have been met, the individual is no longer at risk of being contagious. DOH Call Center, 1-800-525-0127, Press # after the prompt  Education & Information, doh.wa.gov/, emergencies/coronavirus Okanogan County Alerts: Sign up for alerts like  these from Emergency Management at: okanogandem.org