Message from Director of Public Health: Updated Isolation and Quarantine Guidance, December 29, 2021
TO: Town of Wilmington
FROM: Shelly Newhouse, R.S., Director of Public Health
DATE: December 29, 2021
RE: Updated isolation and quarantine guidance
EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY
ISOLATION
The isolation rules are for people who are positive with a COVID test. They are the same for people who are unvaccinated, partly vaccinated, fully vaccinated, or boosted.
—Isolation starts the on which ever comes first: a positive test or symptoms.
—An infected person should stay home and isolate for five days, instead of the previously recommended 10 days.
—On day 6, if you do not have symptoms, you may return to your regular activities but must wear a mask everywhere —around people at home and people outside your home— for at least five more days.
—If you still have symptoms after isolating for five days, stay home until you feel better and then start your five days of wearing a mask at all times.
PCR tests are the gold standard, but I will accept an at home test
QUARANTINE
The quarantine rules are for people who were in close contact with a COVID positive person.
For quarantine, the clock starts the day they were last exposed to a COVID positive person.
People who received booster vaccines will not need to quarantine. People who have completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine within the last 6 months or completed the J&J primary series within the last 2 months will not need to quarantine. They will need to wear a mask in all settings for at least 10 days.
People who completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine over 6 months ago and are not boosted or completed the primary series of J&J over 2 months ago and are not boosted or unvaccinated will need to stay home and quarantine, testing on day 5 is possible. They should continue to wear a mask around others for an additional 5 days.
QUARANTINE GUIDELINES FOR EEC and K-12 students has not changed. If a student is exposed, they can test on Day 5 and released on Day 8 if PCR negative and remains asymptomatic.
TEL: (978) 658-4298
FAX: (978) 694-2045
EMAIL: boh@wilmingtonma.gov