Health officials explain quarantine

SHERIDAN — While locals likely have the timeframe of 14 days ingrained in their memories regarding how long an individual suspected of having COVID-19 should self-quarantine, health officials said the process isn’t that simple.

Wyoming Department of Health officials announced Wednesday, March 11, that Wyoming’s first case of coronavirus had been reported in Sheridan County.

The adult female had traveled the weekend prior and was tested March 9 or 10.

When the announcement came that she could end self-isolation March 19, some residents questioned why the quarantine didn’t last the full 14 days.

“Each case is carefully screened and monitored by the Wyoming Department of Health and Sheridan County Public Health,” Sheridan County Nurse Manager Debra Haar told The Sheridan Press via email Monday. “Isolation requirements are considered based upon a number of different clinical features specific to each person and adhere to the current CDC guidelines.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 who are not hospitalized should be instructed to isolate themselves in a private residence until at least three days have passed since recovery, which is defined as resolution of fever without fever-reducing medications and improvement of respiratory symptoms, and at least seven days have passed since symptoms first appeared.

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