Public health updates self-isolation requirements at local level

WELLINGTON COUNTY – Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health (WDGPH) has introduced stricter isolation requirements for those who come into contact with someone else exposed to COVID-19.

The changes, announced in a Sept. 28 press release, take effect immediately.

Unvaccinated individuals who are around an unvaccinated person in their home who has been exposed to COVID-19 now have to isolate.

The time that an unvaccinated household member spends isolating at home is the same as the unvaccinated household member who was directly exposed to COVID-19.

Isolation periods are typically 10 days but can vary.

The new direction does not apply those who come into contact with a fully-vaccinated household member exposed to COVID-19, regardless of their own vaccination status.

As an example, a child under 12, who cannot currently be vaccinated, will not have to isolate if a fully vaccinated adult in the home comes in contact with a case of COVID-19.

That same child would have to isolate if the adult was not vaccinated.

Previously, public health did not take into consideration household members of those who are high-risk contacts.

Explaining the rationale for the change, associate medical officer of health Dr. Matthew Tenenbaum stated in the press release, in part, “This new requirement will help limit transmission” of the highly virulent Delta variant.