VDH and CDC continue to recommend a 14-day quarantine period after the last close contact to a person with COVID-19 as the safest option to protect healthcare personnel (HCP) and patients. Given the latest CDC guidance on quarantine, VDH has issued new interim recommendations.

VDH recommends if a healthcare facility needs to mitigate a staffing shortage by allowing asymptomatic exposed HCP to work during the 14 day period post-exposure, utilizing one of the following options available is preferred:

• Quarantine can end after Day 10 without testing and if no symptoms have developed; OR
• Quarantine can end after Day 7 if a viral test (e.g., PCR or antigen test) performed on or after Day 5 is negative and if no symptoms have developed.

Given the need for often extensive and close contact between patients and healthcare personnel, a 14-day quarantine period continues to be recommended by VDH and CDC for patients receiving healthcare with exposures to SARS-CoV-2 warranting quarantine. Shortening the duration of patient quarantine may pose additional transmission risk.

All HCP should be taking precautions outside of work to the extent possible, including social distancing and wearing face coverings. VDH has learned through outbreak response that SARS-CoV-2 is often brought into hospitals and long term care facilities by staff exposed in the community.

Read the VDH Interim Recommendations for the Duration of Quarantine for HCP for more details.