What does it mean to ‘self-quarantine’ over the coronavirus? Here’s what to know
More people are being asked to “self-quarantine” during the coronavirus outbreak as vacations are cut short and universities pull back students from study abroad programs.
Beginning in early February, federal officials asked people returning from China to monitor themselves for 14 days in what some called a period of “self-quarantine.”
As coronavirus continues to spread, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated their guidelines Thursday about who should quarantine themselves and how.
What is self-quarantine?
The CDC differentiates between isolation and quarantine.
The former is reserved for people infected with coronavirus who are separated from the general public to prevent spreading the virus. The latter is for people who could have been exposed to the virus but haven’t shown any symptoms (asymptomatic) and are asked to self-monitor for a set period of time — typically at home — to ensure no symptoms develop.
Who should self-quarantine?
Officials have issued “Level 3 Travel Health Notices” to anyone returning from China, Iran, Italy and South Korea, requiring they stay home for 14 days and “practice social distancing.”
One such case is a college student in North Carolina forced to return early from studying abroad in Italy. She is now under self-quarantine at home, WSOC reported.
In a Thursday update, the CDC released an expanded list of “exposure risk categories.”
Anyone traveling from the Hubei Province of China — where the outbreak started — is considered a high level risk, the CDC says. Anyone living in the same household, considered an “intimate partner” or providing any type of care to an infected person is also considered high risk only if they don’t take the recommended precautions outlined by the CDC.
Travel from elsewhere in China, Iran or a country with “sustained transmission” (see here) is considered medium risk, as is coming into close contact with an infected person, sitting within two seats of an infected person on an airplane and living with, dating or caring for an infected person while taking the necessary precautions.
The CDC considers “close contact” as coming within 6 feet of an infected person for a prolonged period of time.
People who fall under both high and medium risk are instructed to self-quarantine or stay at home and “practice social-distancing,” according to the CDC.
High risk cases, however, are subject to stricter guidelines during the self-quarantine period.
How can you self-quarantine at home?
Travelers with a Level 3 Health Notice are asked to consistently monitor their health and stay away from family and friends, the CDC says. This includes staying home from school and work.
They should check their temperature twice a day, watch for coughing or trouble breathing, avoid public transportation (including taxis and ride-shares), limit public activities and stay about 6 feet away from people at all times.
People who fall under the CDC’s high risk category are instructed to do the same.
Those with a medium risk of infection should stay home and distance themselves from social gatherings, monitor their health by checking their temperature twice daily and watching for coughing and trouble breathing as well as postpone any further travel.
Some individuals may also be supervised by public health officials in their area, according to the CDC.
Officials might reach out initially and provide instructions for how to notify the health department if any symptoms develop. They might also “check in intermittently” until the self-monitoring or self-quarantine period is over.
Health officials in one North Carolina county — there are currently two confirmed cases of coronavirus in the state — told McClatchy News on Thursday they operate under guidance from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services to “identify and monitor anyone suspected of having or being exposed to COVID-19.”
They also confirmed there are travelers in the state currently self-monitoring under public health supervision.
Is self-quarantine mandatory?
The CDC’s list of guidelines are only recommendations, but state and local health authorities may issue a public health order that is “legally enforceable.”
Such orders can restrict people’s movements and require monitoring by health authorities, according to the CDC. COVID-19 is considered an allowable disease for quarantine under federal rules.
One man in New Hampshire who tested positive for the disease opted to ignore a recommendation for self-isolation and attended a private event, CNN reported. State health officials subsequently issued “an official order for isolation.”
New York has also issued mandatory isolation orders for patients who test positive, according to CNN.
Still, the CDC urged state and local authorities to use caution in issuing such orders.
“The issuance of public health orders should be considered in the context of other less restrictive means that could accomplish the same public health goals,” the CDC said. “People under public health orders must be treated with respect, fairness, and compassion, and public health authorities should take steps to reduce the potential for stigma.”
This story was originally published March 6, 2020 at 2:10 PM with the headline "What does it mean to ‘self-quarantine’ over the coronavirus? Here’s what to know."
