Virginia changes COVID-19 quarantine rules for adults, children due to higher immunity rates
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RICHMOND — "It is time to revisit some of our practices for groups that are at low risk for severe COVID-19 disease, especially those whose side effect is a significant limitation of access to daycare, school or work," said Virginia State Health Commissioner Colin M. Greene in a June 16 statement to the public.
Effective immediately, the Virginia Department of Health updated its website and revised its quarantine guidance for COVID-19, significantly so in some cases.
These changes reflect COVID's progression from an acute pandemic to a more endemic state, said Greene.
To explain the changes made, the commissioner provided data on immunity rates for adults and children.
COVID-19 immunity rates
The Centers for Disease Control evidence suggests that well over 75% of children possess post-infection immunity to COVID-19, in addition to any vaccine-derived protection.
Adult rates of immunity, between vaccination and post-infection, likely exceeds 90%.
There is evidence that post-infection immunity may be effective for six months or longer.
As a result, guidance on quarantine and isolation now reflects these immunity rates.
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COVID-19 quarantine guidance
No more quarantine for non-high risk situations:
If a person is exposed to COVID-19, but has tested positive for and recovered from COVID-19 within the last six months, or is up to date on vaccines, or both, that person will no longer be recommended to quarantine.
Instead, that person should monitor for symptoms and follow isolation protocols should they appear. This varies slightly from CDC guidance, which defines the post-infection immunity period as 90 days.
“This change will apply to the general public, including but not limited to settings such as K-12 schools and early childhood education settings," said Greene.
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Quarantine remains for high-risk situations:
"Out of an abundance of caution, we will retain the 90-day standard for higher-risk situations, including healthcare workers, staff and residents of long-term care facilities, correctional facilities, and homeless shelters," said Greene.
This change only pertains to quarantine recommendations for individuals and will not impact the state's case surveillance/case classification process for purposes of reporting probable or confirmed cases to CDC.
Recommendations for isolation with active disease or asymptomatic positive testing remain unchanged.
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This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Virginia COVID-19 quarantine rules change due to higher immunity rates
