Throughout the pandemic, the terms isolation and quarantine have been used interchangeably, however, they are not the same thing.
Manitowoc County Emergency Services Director Travis Waack explained to SeehaferNews.com that quarantining is for people who have had close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. “Close contact is defined as being within 6 feet of someone for 15 or more minutes throughout a 24 hour period,” Waack explained. “Close contact can also be acquired instantly if you touch someone physically.”
Quarantine means that individual needs to remain home for 14 days since the last contact with that person. However, Waack says if you are living with someone who tested positive, “Your 14 days doesn’t start until they have recovered.” Isolation meanwhile is for people who have tested positive. “When you test positive, you need to stay home and not have contact with anyone for 10 days since your symptoms developed,” Waack said. “To get out of those 10 days, you need to have been symptom free for at least 24 hours on the 10th day in order to go back to work or anything on day 11.” Waack continues to stress the importance of getting tested as soon as you experience symptoms.
