Updated Coronavirus Quarantine Guidance Issued For Delco

DELAWARE COUNTY, PA — Residents in Delaware County have new coronavirus quarantining guidance to follow from the Chester County Health Department.

Delaware County officials Monday shared the new guidance provided by Chester County.

People who are in close contacts with individuals who test positive for coronavirus, or have traveled and not received a negative test result, are required to quarantine. The use and adherence to quarantine requirements continues to be a strong public health measure to mitigate COVID-19. Quarantining individuals breaks the transmission cycle by limiting exposure to other individuals.

Recently, the CDC updated its guidance regarding quarantine, saying now a 10-day quarantine is adequate, rather than the previously recommended 14-day quarantine.

However, the Chester County Health Department still recommends a 14-day quarantine period as the most protective quarantine period for everyone.

The alternatives only apply to individuals in quarantine. Individuals who are a confirmed and probable cases of coronavirus are still required to follow the 10-day isolation requirement.

Alternative quarantine periods:

• Quarantine can end after day 10 without testing if an individual remains asymptomatic through the end of day 10.
• Quarantine can end after day seven if a diagnostic specimen (e.g., RT-PCR, antigen) tests negative and is collected on day five or thereafter, and the person remains asymptomatic until the test result is received.

Quarantine begins after the date of last exposure (day 0) to a person with coronavirus. At no time can quarantine be discontinued before the end of day seven even if a negative coronavirus test result is received before to the end of day seven.

The alternative quarantine periods do not apply to individuals who work at, or live in, healthcare or congregate settings to include hospitals, healthcare practices/offices, long-term care facilities, correctional facilities, clinics of all sizes, shelters, group homes, EMS, etc.

Employers and organizations — including daycare/childcare centers, public/non-public schools, and colleges/universities — must determine if they will support alternative quarantine periods for their employees, those doing business with them, or receiving services from them. Employers and organizations selecting to use alternative quarantine periods as outlined below must continue symptom monitoring for the full 14 days, and must continue strict adherence to all existing local and state mandates and guidance (e.g., masking, physical distancing).

It is recommended employers and organizations consult their solicitor or legal counsel regarding any policies, procedures or protocols for requirements which may need to be in place regarding proof of negative test result and date of test when using alternative quarantine periods.

Additionally, employers and organizations should update their employee and visitor screening protocol if using the alternative quarantine protocols.

Chester County Health Department will support PA Department of Health’s evaluation of these alternatives in terms of compliance with quarantine and contact tracing activities, but also for any potential negative impacts such as post-quarantine transmission.

Chester County officials recommend coronavirus testing be prioritized for symptomatic persons seeking evaluation for coronavirus infection ahead of testing being used to end of quarantine earlier than the 14 days.