Contra Costa Shortens COVID-19 Quarantine Guidelines

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — Contra Costa County health officials updated Thursday their coronavirus quarantine guidance to recommend that people who test positive for COVID-19 should remain in isolation and quarantine for five days, down from 10 days.

The new guidelines apply to those who experience no symptoms or improve, and have tested negative on the fifth day of isolation or afterward, Contra Costa Health Services said in a statement. People who continue to have a fever on day five of isolation should continue to isolate until day 10 or whenever their symptoms resolve.

The move will bring the Contra Costa Health Services gudiance into alignment with guidance from the California Department of Public Health.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention first announced Dec. 27 that it was halving its recommended 10-day quarantine period. California took things a step further and called on residents to verify that they were no longer sick by taking a test.

“The state’s new guidelines for the community strike a good balance between protecting public health while minimizing disruptions to our essential workforce,” said Dr. Ori Tzvieli, deputy county health officer, in a statement.

The county guidance also said that people who were exposed to COVID-19 and were unvaccinated or had not received a booster shot may quarantine for five days, instead of 10 days, if they have no symptoms and tested negative on day five or later.

Quarantining after exposure to COVID-19 was not necessary if a person was fully vaccinated and boosted or if she was not eligible for a booster, the county said.

People who cannot take a test should quarantine until day 10, even if they don't experience symptoms, the county said.

Workers in schools or health care should check with their employer, as they may have different protocols for returning to work.