DOH updates guidelines on isolation, quarantine period
The Department of Health (DOH) has updated its guidelines for the isolation and quarantine period of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients as well as their close contacts.
The DOH said that these new guidelines will be implemented starting Thursday, Jan. 13.
DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that the isolation of COVID-19 positive individuals with “symptoms, asymptomatic, and mild cases had been reduced to seven days from onset of symptoms if the person is fully vaccinated.” Previously, the duration was 10 days.
“Ten days isolation is retained for those that are partially or unvaccinated, and those with moderate symptoms regardless of vaccination status,” said Vergeire in a forum.
“The isolation period has been retained to 21 days for those with severe and critical disease, and those immunocompromised,” she added.
Meanwhile, hospitals can shorten the isolation of their respective healthcare workers if necessary.
“Hospital prevention and control committees and or provincial health offices can shorten the isolation duration for fully vaccinated healthcare workers with boosters to five days upon careful assessment of benefits and risks,” said Vergeire.
The DOH defined isolation as “for people who have been infected and tested positive for COVID-19, with symptoms or none, both fully vaccinated and unvaccinated.”
Quarantine period of close contacts
The quarantine period for the fully vaccinated close-contact of a COVID-19 positive individual will be shortened from seven days to only five days, said Vergeire.
The DOH, meanwhile, retained its current policy of 14 days quarantine of close contacts who are partially vaccinated or unvaccinated, said Vergeire.
“Testing of asymptomatic close contacts will also not be required unless symptoms will develop,” said Vergeire.
“All individuals should also be reminded to continue monitoring their symptoms, wear their mask, and implement minimum public health standards for 14 days,” she reminded.
Vergeire said that fully vaccinated healthcare workers who were exposed to a COVID-19 positive person—”for the sake of uniformity, they will follow the five days quarantine similar to the general public.”
“We will also retain that hospital prevention and control committees can further shorten healthcare workers with boosters---their quarantine can be shortened weighing specific situations, risks, and benefits,” she noted.
To note, the DOH defined quarantine as “for those who have been exposed and can possibly develop.”