MADISON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Following the lead of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services has relaxed quarantine guidelines for those who had close contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19.
The new guidelines cover people who do not develop symptoms. Under the new guidelines, those who get tested can end their quarantine seven days after their contact with the infected person, as long as they have a negative test no more than 48 hours before the end of the seventh day. Those who do not get tested can end their quarantine after 10 days.
Previous guidelines advised a 14-day quarantine, which DHS notes is still the safest option.
“For many, there may be barriers that make quarantining for a full 14 days extremely challenging,” DHS secretary-designee Andrea Palm said in a news release. “While a shorter quarantine carries additional risk of spreading COVID-19, when done responsibly, it can make quarantining easier for more Wisconsinites.”
All should monitor their symptoms for a full 14 days after contact. Those who develop symptoms should immediately isolate, call their health care provider and get tested.
The CDC cited ongoing research in its decision to shorten the quarantine guidelines.
