Based upon the decreasing number of positive COVID-19 cases, and in accordance with CDC guidance, the Pettis County Health Center will decrease the time required for quarantine for those people exposed to a positive case not within a household from 14 to 10 days.

A news release from Administrator JoAnn Martin says examples are sports teams, places of employment where preventative measures are being used or other places where contact was for a short period of time. Within a household, the quarantine period will remain 14 days, as research has shown that an individual living in a household with a positive individual has a higher risk of developing the disease throughout the entire 14-day period.

People released from quarantine after 10 days need to continue to monitor for symptoms and seek testing if any symptoms develop. People with symptoms who have been tested need to remain at home until test results are received.

For individuals who test positive, the period of isolation remains 10 days. If the positive individual is not able to separate from other family members, the period of quarantine begins after the 10 days of isolation.

Martin says, “Even with the decrease in positive cases, providing information on contacts remains an important part of controlling the spread of COVID-19. Health Center staff is now able to follow up with contacts, so having information on how to reach contacts is important.”

This change is in effect starting March 1.

If there are any questions, contact the Pettis County Health Center at (660) 827-1130.