Welcome to Ellsworth County Medical Center

Understanding Quarantine vs. Isolation

It's important to understand these terms to ensure you are following proper protocol.
Quarantineis when you have or are suspected of being exposed to the virus.
Isolationis when you have been infected with the virus, even if you are not showing symptoms.

Quarantine

Quarantine if you have been in close contact (within 6 feet of someone for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period) with someone who has COVID-19 unless you have been fully vaccinated.

Fully Vaccinated Individuals
People who are fully vaccinated do NOT need to quarantine after contact with someone who had COVID-19 unless they have symptoms. However, fully vaccinated people should get tested 3-5 days after their exposure, even if they don't have symptoms, and wear a mask indoors in public for 14 days following exposure or until their test result is negative.

Un-vaccinated Individuals
Stay home for 10-14 days (depending on your local requirements) from the last known exposure from the infected individual and monitor for symptoms.
You may be able to test out of quarantine early at day 7, if you opt to be tested (test must occur on day 5 or later) and receive a negative result.

Regardless of if you are fully vaccinated or not, if you have been exposed to COVID-19 and begin experience signs or symptoms of illness, contact your local public health authority or healthcare provider.

Isolation
Isolation is used to separate people infected with COVID-19 from those who are not infected.
People who are in isolation should stay home until it's safe for them to be around others. At home, anyone sick or infected should separate from others, stay in a specific "sick room" or area, and use a separate bathroom (if available).

Avoid contact with other household members and pets
If possible; stay in a specific "sick room" or area, and use a separate bathroom. Consider wearing a mask, even in your own home, when you are unable to separate yourself from other household members.

Avoid sharing household items
You should not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, bedding, or other items with other people in your home. After using these items, you should wash them thoroughly with soap and water.

Stay home except to get medical care
You should not leave your home, except to get medical care. Do not go to work, school, or public areas, and do not use public transportation or taxis.

Call ahead before visiting your doctor
Before your medical appointment, call the healthcare provider and tell them that you have, or are being evaluated for, 2019-nCoV infection. This will help the healthcare provider's office take steps to keep other people from getting infected.

Stay up to date with the latest guidelines on quarantine and isolation at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/quarantine-isolation.html

US Patent Numbers 7,720,998 B2, 7,836,207