Town Of Dedham: Updated Covid-19 Isolation And Quarantine Periods For The General Public

Press release from the Town of Dedham:

12/29/2021 4:34 PM

Effective immediately, Massachusetts has updated isolation and quarantine guidelines to align with recent CDC recommendations. CDC research indicates that, with the Omicron Variant, most COVID-19 transmission occurs early on when someone is sick – usually 1-2 days before the onset of symptoms and 2-3 days after symptom onset.  As a result, the isolation period for people who test positive, and the quarantine period for people exposed to COVID-19, have been shortened. This information was issued in a CDC press release on December 27, 2021 and can be found on the State’s website.

The Dedham Health Department continues to review CDC recommendations and is in frequent communication with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH). The Board of Health strongly urges anyone who is eligible to get vaccinated and boosted. Vaccine appointments can be scheduled through vaxfinder.mass.gov. Beginning January 6, 2022, the State will open additional mass vaccination sites including sites at Fenway Park and in Roxbury, that will provide vaccines to eligible residents ages 5 years and older, and boosters to residents ages 16 years and older. More information about these mass vaccination sites can be found in the State’s press release (December 28, 2021).

Updated Steps and Precautions to Protect Yourself and Others

(Download PDF card with guidelines)

What do I do if I have tested positive for COVID-19? ISOLATE

How to isolate:

• Stay at home for 5 days from symptom onset date or test date, whichever came first
• If you have no symptoms, or your symptoms resolve after 5 days, you can leave your house
• Continue to wear a mask when around others for an additional 5 days
• If you have a fever, stay home until you are fever-free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication

Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, must isolate!

What do I do if I have been exposed to someone infected with COVID-19? QUARANTINE

How to quarantine if you have been boosted or recently vaccinated:

If you have been boosted OR completed the primary series of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine within the last 6 months OR completed the primary series of the J&J vaccine within the last 2 months:

• Wear a mask around others for 10 days
• If possible, test on day 5
• If you develop symptoms, get tested and stay home

How to quarantine if you are unvaccinated, not boosted, or were not vaccinated recently:

If you completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine over 6 months ago and are not boosted OR completed the primary series of J&J over 2 months ago and are not boosted OR are unvaccinated:

• Stay home for 5 days and continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days
• If you can’t quarantine you must wear a mask for 10 days
• Test on day 5 if possible
• If you develop symptoms, get tested and stay home

Anyone with questions is encouraged to contact the Dedham Health Department at (781) 751-9220.

Effective immediately, Massachusetts has updated isolation and quarantine guidelines to align with recent CDC recommendations. CDC research indicates that, with the Omicron Variant, most COVID-19 transmission occurs early on when someone is sick – usually 1-2 days before the onset of symptoms and 2-3 days after symptom onset.  As a result, the isolation period for people who test positive, and the quarantine period for people exposed to COVID-19, have been shortened. This information was issued in a CDC press release on December 27, 2021 and can be found on the State’s website.

The Dedham Health Department continues to review CDC recommendations and is in frequent communication with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH). The Board of Health strongly urges anyone who is eligible to get vaccinated and boosted. Vaccine appointments can be scheduled through vaxfinder.mass.gov. Beginning January 6, 2022, the State will open additional mass vaccination sites including sites at Fenway Park and in Roxbury, that will provide vaccines to eligible residents ages 5 years and older, and boosters to residents ages 16 years and older. More information about these mass vaccination sites can be found in the State’s press release (December 28, 2021).

How to isolate:

• Stay at home for 5 days from symptom onset date or test date, whichever came first
• If you have no symptoms, or your symptoms resolve after 5 days, you can leave your house
• Continue to wear a mask when around others for an additional 5 days
• If you have a fever, stay home until you are fever-free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication

Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, must isolate!

What do I do if I have been exposed to someone infected with COVID-19? QUARANTINE

How to quarantine if you have been boosted or recently vaccinated:

If you have been boosted OR completed the primary series of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine within the last 6 months OR completed the primary series of the J&J vaccine within the last 2 months:

• Wear a mask around others for 10 days
• If possible, test on day 5
• If you develop symptoms, get tested and stay home

How to quarantine if you are unvaccinated, not boosted, or were not vaccinated recently:

If you completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine over 6 months ago and are not boosted OR completed the primary series of J&J over 2 months ago and are not boosted OR are unvaccinated:

• Stay home for 5 days and continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days
• If you can’t quarantine you must wear a mask for 10 days
• Test on day 5 if possible
• If you develop symptoms, get tested and stay home

Anyone with questions is encouraged to contact the Dedham Health Department at (781) 751-9220.

This press release was produced by the Town of Dedham. The views expressed here are the author’s own.