Pima County issues quarantine guidance for individuals exposed to COVID-19

PIMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KGUN) — With COVID-19 cases rising and the delta variant being predominantly transmissible, the Pima County Health Department has issued guidance following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated mask recommendations.

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The PCHD is encouraging individuals to wear a mask in public indoor settings, whether vaccinated or not if a six foot social distance cannot be maintained, according to the health department. It is suggested to those who have had COVID-19 or have had close contact to stay home and away from others.

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The county and state health departments are encouraging individuals who have had close contact with COVID-19 to keep their distance from others if they have not been vaccinated until one specific criteria set has been met.

Criteria 1 includes the following:

• At least 10 days have passed after your last known exposure to a person with COVID-19; and

• You remain symptom-free for that 10-day period.

Criteria 2 includes the following:

• At least 7 days have passed after your last known exposure to a person with COVID-19; and

• The exposed person has tested negative for COVID-19 and the test was collected within 48 hours of planned quarantine discontinuation; and
• You remain symptom-free for that seven-day period.

If an individual is fully vaccinated and symptom-free, there is no need to quarantine, the health department says. Those who may have come in contact with the virus, are encouraged to get a COVID-19 test approximately 3-5 days after exposure and to keep wearing a mask.

According to the health department, if an individual meets criteria one or two, they would no longer need to stay home or quarantine.

For more COVID-19 information, visit here.