New guidelines released for fully vaccinated people in Tompkins County

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ITHACA, NY – Fully vaccinated people who are “exposed to a positive COVID-19 case but are asymptomatic” do not need to quarantine, according to new guidelines released for fully vaccinated people in Tompkins County . Importantly, it does not apply to people who actually test positive for the coronavirus, whether vaccinated or not.

The new guidelines were issued by the county health department and follow similar guidelines issued by the CDC and the state health department. It comes amid a string of new cases that have been discovered over the past few days, at least in part due to the influx of students to the area.

“Even though we have seen a slight increase in cases and the number of people vaccinated becoming positive has increased, the data still shows that if you are vaccinated you are at a lower risk of contracting or transmitting COVID-19. These guidelines follow those provided by the CDC and published by New York State, ”said Frank Kruppa, director of public health.

The announcement further states that “fully vaccinated people exposed to a positive case should avoid contact as much as possible with those who are not vaccinated or immunocompromised.”

Kruppa continued, “We must continue to do our best to stay healthy, especially the most vulnerable people in our community – children under 12 who are not eligible for vaccination and those who are immunocompromised. or suffering from a chronic illness. After a positive exposure, limiting close contact with unvaccinated or immunocompromised people is one way to prevent the disease from spreading to those most at risk for serious disease. We are also clarifying that those who work closely with unvaccinated children or those who are immunocompromised can continue to do so, but should also monitor themselves for symptoms, get tested and continue to wear a mask and keep their distance when they can. ”

The following is additional advice that has been sent by the health department regarding fully vaccinated people who are a) close contacts of a positive COVID-19 case and b) asymptomatic. Perhaps the most notable part will impact teachers and school workers who are close contacts of a COVID-19 case, but who are not actually positive. They will not have to quarantine themselves and will be allowed to continue working, despite the fact that children under 12 cannot be vaccinated. They are, however, encouraged to mask and maintain a distance of six feet.

People who are exposed to a positive case of COVID-19, but who are fully vaccinated and asymptomatic at the time of the initial contact tracing interview do not need to self-quarantine.

The Department of Health recommends that the following actions be taken:

Self-monitoring for symptoms for 14 days after exposure.
Avoid contact with people at high risk of serious illness due to COVID-19: people who are immunocompromised; Avoid going to nursing homes, schools or other places of collective living until the end of the 14-day self-monitoring period.
These guidelines do not preclude asymptomatic, fully immunized close contact from working in the vicinity of immunocompromised individuals or children. People working with immunocompromised people or children should wear a mask and keep a distance of six feet when possible.
If your household has unvaccinated members, wear a mask at home and maintain the distance. The unvaccinated person will be more protected if they also wear a mask if they cannot distance themselves. Household contacts are at a particularly high risk of becoming infected.
If you continue to work and go to public areas, please use a mask, social distancing, and use hand sanitizer until your 14 days have passed.
Get tested 3-5 days after exposure to a positive case using a PCR test. As over-the-counter COVID-19 home antigen tests have become available in pharmacies for purchase, TCHD recommends the most sensitive and accurate PCR tests. In the event that a person receives a positive home test result, they should immediately contact your primary care provider and TCHD (alert TCHD by calling 607-274-6604).
If you become symptomatic, isolate yourself immediately and call the health department for further instructions, at 607-274-6604.
If you are contacted by the Tompkins County Health Department as part of a contact tracing investigation, you should follow the instructions given to you.

TCHD urges the community to continue to do the following:

1. Wear a mask in and around others.

2. Get vaccinated when you can

Information on local immunization is available on the Department of Health website: https://tompkinscountyny.gov/health/covid19popup

3. Get tested if you have symptoms.

· Location and hours of operation of the Cayuga Health Mall site: 40 Catherwood Drive, Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm; Closed on saturday. & Sun. The sampling site will be open on Monday September 6 from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. For more information visit: https://tompkinscountyny.gov/health/factsheets/coronavirussamplingsite

· Testing is free and available to residents of Tompkins County. If you do not have transportation to get to the mall site, please call 211

§ Although TCHD recommends the most sensitive and accurate PCR tests, over-the-counter COVID-19 antigen tests at home have become available in drugstores for purchase. All positive home test results should be reported immediately to your primary care provider and to TCHD (alert TCHD by calling 607-274-6604).

Symptoms of COVID-19 are often similar to those of the common cold or can be mistaken for allergies. Symptoms include:

Fever or chills

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