Late yesterday, January 4, 2022, the Department of Health (DOH/the Department) issued Interim Updated Isolation & Quarantine Guidance relative to COVID-19 exposure and infection. This DOH guidance applies to essential workers and the general population.
The guidelines for health care workers is unchanged and the December 24, 2022 Advisory for Shortened Isolation for Health Care Workers remains in effect.
Shortened Isolation for NYS Health Care Workers
Per the Department’s December 24 health care worker guidance, the recommendations for isolation and returning to work following exposure and/or infection is summarized by HCP as follows:
The shortened isolation period following infection with SARSCoV-2 applies to fully vaccinated health care workers in limited circumstances where there is a critical staffing shortage. HCP adds that each provider sets the “critical shortage” level for its own agency and reports this to the Department when that criterion has been reached.
Employers may allow infected vaccinated health care employees to return to work after day five (5) of their isolation period following a COVID-19 occurrence if, and only if:
- The individual is asymptomatic or symptoms have resolved.
- The individual consistently and properly wears a mask in the workplace, including in non-patient areas. Mask must be a surgical grade or higher-level type (e.g., N95).
- The individual practices social distancing whenever possible.
- The individual self-monitors for symptoms and seeks re-evaluation if symptoms recur or worsen.
- The individual is not moderately or severely immunocompromised.
- The individual is restricted from contact with severely immunocompromised persons.
- The individual separates from others when mask is removed for eating or drinking.
Testing is not required for these employees to return to the workplace.
Note that the Department developed this guidance based on the CDC recommendations, as well as a review of current COVID-19 literature. Several studies indicate that transmission time in vaccinated individuals is significantly lower than that seen in unvaccinated infected persons. Since health care workers in New York State are generally fully vaccinated, the Department maintains that the shorter isolation period is warranted in order to maintain capacity in critical services while still keeping New Yorkers safe.
New DOH Guidance for the General Population
The Department stresses that yesterday’s Interim Updated Isolation & Quarantine Guidance is under constant review and is subject to change as conditions and federal guidelines remain in flux.
In light of COVID-19 isolation guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Department makes the following recommendations for the general public (i.e., non-health care workers):
Infection, regardless of vaccination status:
- Isolate for 5 days, where day 0 is the day of symptom onset or (if asymptomatic) the day of collection of the first positive specimen.
- If asymptomatic at the end of 5 days or if symptoms are resolving, isolation ends and the individual should wear a well-fitting mask while around others for an additional 5 days.
- Individuals who are moderately-severely immunocompromised should continue to follow standard (i.e., not shortened) Isolation Guidance.
- Individuals who are unable to wear a well-fitting mask for 5 days after a 5-day isolation should also follow standard (i.e., not shortened) Isolation Guidance
Exposure to COVID-19:
Quarantine as follows, where day 0 is the last date of exposure:
- If not fully vaccinated or fully vaccinated and eligible but not yet boosted: quarantine for 5 days and wear a well-fitting mask while around others for an additional 5 days.
- If fully vaccinated and boosted (2 weeks prior to exposure) OR not yet eligible for a booster, no quarantine is required but these individuals should wear a well-fitting mask while around others for 10 days after the last date of exposure.
- If possible, test at day 5 with either a PCR or antigen test.
- If symptoms appear, quarantine and seek testing. Quarantine would end when the test is negative. If testing is not done, isolate according to the guidance above.
Additional guidance from CDC for congregate care settings and schools is expected in the coming days. DOH will review and issue further advisories if necessary.
***Note that local health departments may issue stricter isolation and/or quarantine guidelines if local conditions warrant such requirements. ***