Okay, soo, we have been at this for over a year now. We are all forever changed by this past year and many are trying to think positively moving forward. How can I help?
The best I can do is provide you the most up-to-date information and answer your questions as needed. Although much of this info was shared in previous posts, the following is a quick review of the most important COVID information.
COVID Symptoms
COVID symptoms include the following:
- At least TWO of the following symptoms: fever, chills, muscle aches, headache, sore throat, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, congestion/runny nose OR
- At least ONE of the following symptoms: cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, loss of taste or loss of smell.
Quarantine vs Isolation
Quarantine is what you do if you have been exposed to a positive COVID Case and/or have been identified as a close contact of a positive case. Incubation period for COVID infection is 2-14 days and, therefore, exposed individuals should quarantine for 14 days post exposure with day #1 being first day after exposure.
14 days can be a significant hardship for many and, therefore, the CDC offers an acceptable alternative. When Jefferson Township (Morris County) moves into the "yellow" or moderate risk category, we will accept the alternative quarantine option. The alternative option, if 14 days is not feasible, is 10 days or 7 days with a negative test between day 5-7.
Isolation is what you do if you have COVID symptoms or test positive. Isolation is 10 days from start of symptoms or test date (whichever comes first). Day #1 being test date/symptom start date.
Who Needs to Quarantine?
Individuals who test positive, school nurses and the local health department staff work together to identify "close contacts" to positive cases. Close contacts are notified and quarantined accordingly. Individuals who are fully vaccinated (received final dose 2 weeks prior and within last 3 months) or individuals who tested positive in last 90 days do NOT need to quarantine.
What does "Close Contact" mean?
Close contacts are individuals who were within 6 feet of a positive case for 15 min or more within a 24 hour period during the positive cases "infectious period". A positive COVID case is considered infectious 2 days prior to start of symptoms or test date (whichever comes first) until 10 days post test date/symptom start date.
Mask use or desk barriers do NOT affect the determination of close contacts. Close contacts of close contacts (ie. family members of close contacts) are not at risk for infection unless the close contact exhibits symptoms or tests positive.
Why Do Some People Need to Quarantine for 24 days or more?
If a family member (parent) tests positive for COVID and can not isolate from their children, the children must quarantine during their parents isolation period (10 days). The 10th day is the childrens' last day of exposure and, therefore, they need to quarantine an additional 14 days post exposure, hence a total of 24 days :(
If you have any COVID related questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at (973) 697-4777 ext. 5535 or jluisi@jefftwp.org
