COVID-19 cases continue to surge across the region, prompting more stringent protocols, schools to switch from hybrid to remote learning and those exposed to the virus to quarantine to prevent further spread.
But what does quarantine mean?
Dr. Jodi W. Lenko, assistant medical director of Lehigh Valley Physicians Group-Hazleton, says self-isolation and quarantine, which are almost interchangeable terms, mean to avoid contact with as many people as possible.
“When you or your family have been exposed to COVID but don’t have symptoms yet, we ask that you remain home and away from the public for 14 days from the time of your exposure,” Lenko said.
Dr. Michael Kovalick, chief medical officer of Geisinger’s Community Care in Hazleton, agrees, but clarifies that isolation further means staying away from others, including those in your own home.
People who have been diagnosed with COVID do need to try to isolate themselves from others in their household, Lenko said.
“You should remain isolated in a separate room (if possible) using a separate bathroom (if possible), as long as you are having symptoms including fever, cough,” Lenko said in an email. “Once the fever goes away and your symptoms start to improve, you can relax the isolation.
“But that does not mean it’s time to go back into the community or out of your house,” she cautioned.
When under quarantine, people shouldn’t be going out to the pharmacy, grocery store or anywhere else, unless it is an emergency, Lenko said.
“Please avoid going out of your home for anything unless it is absolutely necessary while you are on quarantine,” she said. “Use any available service, friends or family to help, including curbside pick-up for groceries, home delivery, if available.”
The only exception to staying home is to leave for immediate care if symptoms get severe, Kovalick said, and people should contact their health care provider or hospital system in that case.
People who may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, but are unsure about quarantining, should reach out to their health care provider, Lenko said. Exposure is defined as close contact, less than 6 feet apart for more than 15 minutes, without a mask, she said.
“Once you have been asked to quarantine, you should remain home for 14 days,” she said. “You should not be going out to restaurants. The reason we ask this is to avoid the asymptomatic spread of the disease that we know happens with COVID.
“This means you could potentially be spreading the disease to others when you have no symptoms, simply by talking or eating at a restaurant,” Lenko said.
People should follow their health care provider’s advice or the state’s guidance regarding quarantine length, but both providers recommend two weeks.
The Centers for Disease Control recommends a 14-day quarantine for people who had contact with someone with the virus and won’t have additional contact or live with the person, but can avoid further contact.
However, those quarantining who’ve had additional contact with someone who is sick, or another member of the household gets sick, must start their quarantine over, the CDC recommends. This means another full 14-day quarantine from the additional contact or when the second or additional family member gets sick, the CDC said.
A negative COVID test after an exposure does not change the length of the quarantine, Lenko said. Kovalick agrees with remaining in quarantine even after a negative test.
“A person can test negative for COVID-19 and still develop an infection within that 14-day period, so staying quarantined or isolated is a must regardless of the test result,” he said.
People with questions should reach out to their health care provider, or go LVHN.org to access providers virtually, Lenko said. They can also call the Geisinger COVID-19 hotline at 570-284-3657, Kovalick said.
Lenko encourages people to keep up their guard as the pandemic continues longer than anyone ever imagined.
“As we continue to see the trend of numbers in our community, it is more important now than ever before to continue wearing your mask and avoid large social gatherings, especially indoors,” she said.