FDL County Health Department Updates COVID Guidelines

Fond du Lac County Health Department has updated guidance to align with the new recommendations from the CDC regarding COVID-19 isolation and quarantine for the general population.

This updated guidance reduces the recommended time in isolation for those in the general population with COVID-19 from 10 to five days, if asymptomatic on day five, followed by an additional five days wearing a well-fitting mask when around others. This change is based on data showing that the majority of COVID-19 transmission occurs early in the course of illness.

Updated Isolation Guidance
If you test positive for COVID-19 (regardless of vaccination status):
 Stay home for 5 days.
 If you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving after 5 days, you can leave your house.
 Continue to wear a well-fitting mask around others for 5 additional days.
 If you have a fever, continue to STAY HOME until your fever resolves.

Updated Quarantine Guidance
People who are unvaccinated or are more than six months out from their second mRNA dose (Pfizer or Moderna) or more than 2 months after the J&J vaccine and have not yet received a booster dose should:
 Stay home for 5 days following exposure and wear a well-fitting mask when around other people
for an additional 5 days.
 If a 5-day quarantine is not feasible, the exposed person must wear a well-fitting mask at all times
when around other people for 10 days after exposure.
People who meet one of the following criteria do not need to quarantine after exposure to COVID-19, but
should wear a well-fitting mask when around other people for 10 days:
 Have completed their primary mRNA vaccine series (Pfizer or Moderna) within the last 6 months, OR
 Have been fully vaccinated with a J&J vaccine within the last two months, OR
 Have received a booster more than two weeks prior to the exposure.

Following an exposure to COVID-19, everyone, regardless of vaccination status:
 Should get tested for COVID-19 on day 5, if possible, after exposure.
 Quarantine immediately if any symptoms develop until they receive a negative COVID-19 test
confirming symptoms are not attributable to COVID-19.

These updates are not intended to apply to healthcare settings. Healthcare personnel have separate guidance that has been updated to address concerns about potential impacts on the healthcare system given a surge of COVID-19 cases. Residential care facility staff and individuals in congregate living settings should continue to follow current WI DHS guidance, when applicable.

Wisconsin has seen an increase in COVID-19 cases and high community transmission as the Omicron variant becomes the prevalent virus circulating. Protect yourself and your family by getting vaccinated, wearing a well-fitting mask in public, washing your hands, and testing before you gather with others.

Fond du Lac County Health Department and WI Department of Health Services are currently working to update all communication and guidance materials to reflect these updates. For more information on testing and vaccination opportunities, visit the Fond du Lac County COVID-19 webpage at www.fdlco.wi.gov