Dear Families:
Warren County Health Services has implemented New York’s January 4th guidelines for isolation and quarantine in COVID-19 cases. New York’s full interim guidance can be found online at: https://on.ny.gov/3HFu50Z
KEY POINTS:
- Most isolations (you’re positive) and quarantines (you’re exposed) are decreasing to five days, as of today. You must be asymptomatic/feeling better on Day 5 to release. If you are currently in isolation/quarantine, keep your original end date set by Warren County unless they contact you.
- When your isolation/quarantine is up, you are required to wear a tight-fitting mask for an additional five days.
- There are some exceptions to the five-day isolation/quarantine, so be sure to speak directly with Warren County about their directive for your situation. For example, someone who cannot tolerate a tight-fitting mask must stay in isolation/quarantine for 10 days, not 5.
- The new calculation for your “Day 0” is the first day you began having symptoms. If you are asymptomatic positive, it is the day you tested positive.
- Booster doses are now required to be considered completely vaccinated, for all eligible people age 12 and up. This will affect exposure quarantines!
- Scenario #1: You were in close contact with a positive person. You are over age 12 and are not fully vaccinated, OR you are fully vaccinated but not yet boosted. You must quarantine for 5 days and wear a tight-fitting mask for an additional 5 days. Try to get tested on Day 5.
- Scenario #2: You were in close contact with a positive person. You are over age 12 and fully vaccinated and boosted (with the booster at least 2 weeks before the first date of exposure), OR not yet eligible for a booster. You do not need to quarantine, but should wear a tight-fitting mask for 10 days. Try to get tested on Day 5.
- Boosters are approved for children age 12 and up, by both the CDC and NYSDOH.
- Booster appointments are available at Aviation Mall every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
- The booster must be five months or more from your second vaccine date.
- Bottom line: If you’re eligible but choose not to get boosted, you will be subject to exposure quarantines.
- If you use a rapid test kit at home (free test kits at all Stewart’s Shops), make sure you call Warren County at 518-761-6580 to report a positive.
- If your child tests positive (through a home test, weekly athlete testing at school, a community clinic such as WellNow, etc.), please be sure to follow up with your own pediatrician/health care provider and get clearance to return to all regular activities.
Your continued patience, vigilance, and understanding are appreciated! We are GF Nation STRONG!