Southern Illinois News

The Southern Seven Hills Health Dept. (S7HD) will be adjusting its regulations regarding COVID-19 quarantines following updated recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). 

As coronavirus continues to affect the U.S. in the new year, S7HD is implementing changes to reduce the length of COVID-19 related quarantines. As it stood, the CDC recommends that exposed individuals self-isolate for 14 days. With the updated recommendations from the CDC, local health departments may allow people to leave quarantine earlier than 14 days provided they meet certain criteria.  

If an individual has been isolating for 10 days, local health officials can release those individuals from quarantine if they have not exhibited symptoms during their isolation. Furthermore, people may also be released from quarantine as early as Day Six, provided they show no symptoms of COVID-19 and have a COVID-19 test with negative results.  

While these alternative isolation options do provide flexibility for people, the CDC still advises people to err on the side of caution, especially in settings with many people. More specifically, the CDC advises against these alternative solutions for long-term care facilities, nursing homes and similar environments where high transmission and severe cases are more likely. 

In addition to these revised isolation guidelines, the CDC and S7HD continue to stress the importance of consistent and correct mask wearing around others in addiction to social distancing. Whenever possible, both agencies also encourage avoiding crowds, maintaining good indoor ventilation and frequent COVID-19 testing. 

If people are not able to get tested, it is recommended that they be aware of the following symptoms: coughing, shortness of breath, fever or chills, aches and pains, loss of taste and/or smell, nausea and multiple other symptoms. 

For more information on COVID-19 and the updated requirements from S7HD, call the S7HD office directly at 618-634-2297, or contact on Facebook.