PORTLAND, Ore. — As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) looks to ease the five-day quarantine policy for those who test positive for COVID-19, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) The measure was introduced in May.
OHA's policy is that COVID-19 patients do not need to remain at home for five days.
“The severity of the disease has decreased considerably compared to earlier in the pandemic,” said Oregon state epidemiologist Dr. Dean Seidlinger. “Given the number of people who have already been vaccinated and/or have recovered from COVID-19 and have some level of immunity, that contributed to our decision in May.”
OHA advises people to monitor symptoms to determine when to stop isolating. The agency said that under the new approach, people do not need to stay home if they have not had a fever for 24 hours without medication and their symptoms are mild or improving.
“The coronavirus can be unpredictable,” Seidlinger warned. “But so far, we are seeing a slow and steady decline. Our vaccines work to protect people from the variants that have emerged over the past few years. Influenza is down, RSV is down.”
As of February, emergency room visits, hospitalizations, and deaths due to COVID-19 have decreased, according to the latest data from the CDC.
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To maintain this immunity, OHA said it is important that people stay up-to-date on vaccinations, especially when it comes to children attending school.
On Saturday, Multnomah County held a free catch-up clinic at David Douglas High School for children who still need vaccinations. Those who do not meet this requirement by February 21 will be refused entry to all schools and daycare centers.
“We want to make sure our community is protected. We want to have very low barriers to accessing the vaccines we need,” said Richard Bruno with the Multnomah County Public Health Department. We don't check insurance and have a huge supply of vaccines available to everyone who needs them. ”
Parents who missed Saturday's clinic still have the opportunity to update their children about vaccines. On Feb. 21, Multnomah County, in partnership with Care Oregon Boys & Girls Club in Rockwood, will hold its final vaccination clinic from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Meanwhile, the CDC still recommends that people who test positive for COVID-19 stay at home and isolate themselves from others in their home for at least five days. According to current guidelines, you should also wear a high-quality mask if you have to be around other people inside your home during the quarantine period.
