Following revised guidance from the Centers for Disease Control on the isolation and quarantines for COVID positive individuals, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment has followed suit.
For the general population, those with lab-confirmed COVID-19 infections, regardless of vaccination status should stay home for five days. Those with no symptoms or with symptoms resolving after five days who are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications, can leave the house, according to the latest guidance. Individuals are advised to continue to wear a mask around others for five additional days, upon release from isolation or quarantine.
Boosted or fully vaccinated individuals with Pfizer/Moderna within the last six months or Johnson & Johnson within the last two months who are close contacts, do not have to stay home and should wear a mask around others for 10 days. If possible, individuals should get tested on day 5.
Unvaccinated individuals or those who have completed the primary series of Pfizer/Moderna vaccine over six months ago and are not boosted, or who have completed the primary series of Johnson & Johnson over two months ago and are not boosted, who are close contacts, should stay home for five days. After that mask wearing is advised for five additional days. If unable to quarantine, KDHE says those individuals must wear a mask for 10 days and if possible, get tested on day 5.
For health care workers in a hospital setting, isolation remains for 10 days or seven days with a negative test, if asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic (with improving symptoms). Health care workers with COVID-19 who are asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic can return to work only with COVID-19 positive patients during the remainder of the 10-day infectious period.
KDHE says boosted and asymptomatic health care workers who are close contacts of a confirmed infected COVID positive individual, have no work restrictions with negative tests on days 2 and 5-7. Non boosted an unvaccinated asymptomatic health care workers who are close contacts must quarantine for 10 days or 7 days with a negative test.
