HealthRegional

Michigan is now in the COVID-19 ‘Recovery Phase’

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services says those unvaccinated no longer have to quarantine when exposed

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has updated its Michigan COVID-19 quarantine guidance for the general public.

According to the new guidelines, those who are exposed to COVID-19, whether or not they are vaccinated, no longer need to quarantine.

Moreover, the department says Michigan is in a “recover phase,” which explains the relaxed guidelines. The recovery phase is defined as, “Post-surge. No immediate resurgence predicted. Local and state public health will monitor conditions that could lead to future surges.”

“We are updating our guidance to reflect the fact the state has entered a post-surge, recovery phase,” Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, MDHHS chief medical executive, said in a statement. “As we move through the phases of our COVID-19 response our recommendations will be updated to reflect the current status of transmission, while continuing to prioritize public health and promote health and wellness for all communities. We continue to strongly urge all residents ages 5 and older get the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine and to get boosted when eligible as the vaccine continues to be our best defense against the virus.”

Here are some additional guidelines:

Any individual who tests positive for COVID-19 and/or displays COVID-19 symptoms (without an alternate diagnosis or negative COVID-19 test) should still isolate regardless of vaccination status. These individuals should isolate at home for the first 5 days (starting with the day after symptoms began or the day after test was taken for those without symptoms).

If symptoms have improved or no symptoms developed, return to normal activities, while wearing a well-fitted mask, for the next 5 days to protect others.

Those with a fever should stay home until fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of any fever-reducing medications before returning to normal activities. They should do so while wearing a well-fitted mask for the next 10 days. They can also choose to remain isolated at home for 10 days if unwilling/unable to wear a mask.

The MDHHS says those who test positive for COVID-19 should also tell anyone they’ve been in contact with beginning two days before the onset of symptoms. People with no symptoms who tested positive should notify the people they were around two days before they took the test.

For more new guidelines on what to do if you’re exposed to COVID-19, go here.

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