Niagara County Department of Health Releases Update to Quarantine Requirements


Based on NYSDOH and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance, Niagara County Department of Health is announcing a change to its COVID-19 quarantine requirements. Effective immediately, Niagara County will implement the “Test Out of Quarantine” strategy for all county residents.


Niagara County residents identified as a close contact to a COVID-19 positive individual and not fully vaccinated may be released from quarantine after seven (7) full days (on Day 8) following the last COVID-19 exposure (Day 0) under the following conditions:

 

  • A diagnostic COVID-19 test, with a specimen collected and tested within 48 hours before the end of the planned quarantine discontinuation (on Day 5 or later) is NEGATIVE, AND
  • NO symptoms are reported during daily monitoring

Key Points:

  • Quarantine cannot be discontinued earlier than after completion of Day 7 (on Day 8).
  • Acceptable COVID-19 tests include NAAT (PCR) tests or antigen tests conducted and reported by a licensed laboratory. At-home test results will not be accepted for early release of quarantine.
  • People who are fully vaccinated do NOT need to quarantine after contact with someone who had COVID-19 unless they have symptoms. However, fully vaccinated people should get tested 5-7 days after their exposure, even if they don’t have symptoms and wear a mask indoors in public for 14 days following exposure or until their test result is negative.

Quarantine

  • If you are a close contact of someone that tests positive for COVID-19 you must quarantine for 10 days past your last contact with the person that tested positive unless:
    1. You are fully vaccinated, AND, you do NOT have symptoms, OR
    2. You have recently recovered from COVID-19 and new exposure is within 3 months
      after the date of symptom onset of initial COVID-19 infection or date of positive diagnostic test (if
      asymptomatic), AND, you do NOT have symptoms
    • Unvaccinated, partially vaccinated and fully vaccinated close contacts should have a diagnostic COVID-
      19 test 5 to 7 days after their last contact with the person that tested positive.
    • Close contacts should continue to monitor for symptoms and wear a mask indoors and outdoors in public
      settings for 14 days following last exposure.
    • Individuals that test positive during their quarantine period must isolate for 10 days from either the onset
      of symptoms or the date of the test if asymptomatic.

“This change is the outcome of ongoing collaboration with the school districts in Niagara County to balance
the need to prevent additional spread of COVID-19 and minimize the disruption to classroom learning,” said
Daniel J. Stapleton, Public Health Director. “With the success of our school-based testing sites throughout
the county, we have a system in place to keep kids in school.” Stapleton added.

“Several resources have been added to the Niagara County website Niagaracounty.com to assist
individuals with the implementation of Test Out of Quarantine,” stated Tracy Fricano Chalmers,
Director of Public Health Planning and Emergency Preparedness. These documents include a Temperature
and Symptom Monitoring Log, Release from Quarantine Worksheet, and an Affirmation of Quarantine.
“We hope that these resources will streamline individuals’ return to school/work, as it will no longer
be necessary to contact the NCDOH,” emphasized Fricano Chalmers.