Covid-19 Update: Omicron & New Quarantine Guidelines

Last week a major hospital in Eastern NC reported a test positivity rate of around 40%, which is an increase from 7.3% during the first week in December. Their hospital system has seen an 183% increase in hospitalizations.

 Our test positivity rate at Wilson Medical Group last week was approximately 39%.

This confirms the fact that Covid-19 is spreading rapidly throughout our communities. It is now more important than ever to get vaccinated and continue to do the best you can to limit your indoor social interactions.

As of 1/1/22 the Omicron variant is making up over 95% of cases in the US. Even though the Omicron variant may be “milder” than previous variants please keep in mind that this is not a benign disease for all. Your “mild” case may include symptoms such as runny nose, nasal congestion, sore throat, headache, cough AND/OR fever, chills, body aches, general malaise, vomiting, diarrhea and shortness of breath. For others it may lead to respiratory failure, hospitalization or death. Omicron has proven to be highly contagious. Just because your symptoms are mild does not mean your neighbor’s will be. Remember a small amount of people who get severe disease out of a large amount of people is still a large amount of people.

Last week the CDC updated their quarantine guidelines motivated by the fact that in the majority of cases, CoV-2 transmission occurs early in the course of illness. As vaccination statuses may vary in the community, these changes can be a bit confusing. Here is a breakdown:

YOU TESTED POSITIVE for Covid19

Begin quarantine regardless of vaccination status.

When 5 days have passed PLUS symptoms are resolving you may leave your home with a mask.

(If you are still running a fever or your symptoms are not better you should continue to stay home.)

You must wear a mask for 10 days total.

YOU WERE EXPOSED to someone with Covid-19

Category 1: You have a booster, completed shots 1+2 of Pfizer or Moderna WITHIN the past 6 months, or had a J&J shot within the past 2 months

Wear a mask around others for 10 days and test on day 5.

If you develop symptoms, get tested and begin quarantine at home.

Category 2: Unvaccinated or it has been OVER 6 months since your last Pfizer or Moderna, OVER 2 months since your J&J shot

Quarantine at home x 5 days PLUS you must wear a mask around others for 10 days total.

Test on day 5

If you develop symptoms, get tested and begin quarantine at home.