Monroe County remained in the orange advisory level Thursday on the state’s dashboard, with 270 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people. This is up from 211 cases last week.
The county’s seven-day positivity rate dropped to 7.06 percent, down from 7.6 percent last Wednesday.
“Today, our state is a sea of red and orange and our level of transmission is high,” said Monroe County Health Administrator Penny Caudill.
She said winter holidays increase demand for testing and delay reporting, which prevent the county from having a clearer picture until after the new year.
Currently, about 59 percent of eligible Monroe County residents are fully vaccinated.
What to do if positive for COVID-19
Under the new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines updated Monday, a person must isolate for at least five days if positive for COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status. This is down from the previously recommended 10-day isolation period.
If asymptomatic, or symptoms completely resolve by day five, a person may leave isolation and continue wearing a mask through day 10. It is encouraged to test on day five.
“The day that you are exposed or the day that you test positive is day zero,” Caudill said. “Your five-day count starts the next day.”
Caudill said the isolation period could be longer if symptoms do not resolve.
What to do if exposed to COVID-19
If fully vaccinated with a booster dose, or vaccinated but not yet eligible for a booster, a person does not need to quarantine after being exposed. However, they should wear a mask for 10 days, and test on day five. They should isolate immediately if symptoms arise.
If someone is unvaccinated or eligible but has not yet received a booster, they must quarantine for at least five days. This is down from the previously recommended 14-day period. If asymptomatic or negative on day five, a person may leave quarantine and continue wearing a mask through day 10.
“It is extremely important to pay attention to the full 10 days of masking even though the actual time for isolation or quarantine may only be five days or so,” Caudill said.
