"The shortened quarantine period of seven days will make it easier for exposed persons to comply with quarantine requirements"

WOODLAND, CA (MPG) - The Yolo County Mass Quarantine Order has been amended by the Yolo County Public Health Officer to reflect recent changes to California Department of Public Health (CDPH) quarantine guidance.

The amended Health Order includes changes to the duration of quarantine for unvaccinated individuals by adding the option of a shortened quarantine period if certain conditions are satisfied. The amended Health Order permits persons who have had close contact (within 6 feet for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period) with a COVID-19 case who remain asymptomatic to end quarantine after seven days if a COVID-19 test collected on day six or later after exposure is negative for the virus that causes COVID-19. Any FDA authorized or laboratory-developed molecular or antigen test is an acceptable test for this purpose. In general, all tests for the SARS-CoV-2 virus offered at public testing centers, health care provider offices, and retail pharmacies meet this standard, including at-home tests. 

The amended Health Order also incorporates a modified quarantine opportunity for unvaccinated students who were in close contact with a COVID-19 case on a K-12 school campus while both parties were wearing face coverings. In this situation, if the exposed student remains asymptomatic and undergoes testing for COVID-19 twice weekly, they can remain in school for in-person instruction but cannot participate in extracurricular activities.

“The shortened quarantine period of seven days will make it easier for exposed persons to comply with quarantine requirements, but does require a negative test on day six or later,” says Dr. Aimee Sisson, Yolo County Public Health Officer. “There are many free testing locations in Yolo County that are available for our residents wishing to shorten their quarantine period.” Dr. Sisson adds, “The modified quarantine option for students will help keep students in the classroom, where they learn best, but it will only be successful if students participate in the required twice-weekly testing. I urge all parents to register their children for free, on-campus testing that is now available in all public school districts in Yolo County through Healthy Yolo Together.”

Fully vaccinated persons with an exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 are not required to quarantine if they have remained asymptomatic since their exposure. However, the Yolo County Public Health Officer recommends that fully vaccinated people be tested for COVID-19 after an exposure. Individuals are considered fully vaccinated after two weeks have passed following receipt of the second dose in a two-dose series, or two weeks following receipt of one dose of a single-dose vaccine.

All exposed persons, even those who were fully vaccinated and do not have to self-quarantine, should self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms through day 14 from last known exposure. If any symptoms develop during the 14-day period, the exposed person should immediately self-isolate, get tested and contact their healthcare provider with any questions regarding their care.

For more information about Yolo County’s COVID-19 vaccine program and opportunities to get vaccinated, visit www.yolocounty.org/coronavirus-vaccine. Residents can also call Yolo 2-1-1 for related information and resources. For additional updates follow Yolo County on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/YoloCounty/ or Twitter at: https://twitter.com/YoloCountyCA.

Parents who wish to enroll their K-12 student in free school-based COVID-19 testing can do so at https://healthydavistogether.org/schooltesting/.