Hot Off the Press

Dear Brods and Sis,

Thank you all for your insights and contributions! Click here for the finalized  AFAG Viber Rules.

From the Board of Trustees

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Reserve your copies of this book by (our very own Brod) Dr. Roger G. Laraya and Isaac Norman Rivera! Click here to order a copy of the book .

https://amti.csis.org/a-survey-of-marine-research-vessels-in-the-indo-pacific/

Lots of people coming down with COVID-19. Thankfully almost all are mild and do not need hospitalization if they are vaccinated and boosted. But they are still contagious so isolation and quarantine are important! After so many months of low cases, people seem to have forgotten the updated protocols. Let's review. 

QUARANTINE is the protocol to folllow if someone is EXPOSED to a COVID-19 case and is ASYMPTOMATIC. It doesn't automatically mean the exposed person will develop COVID-19. 

ISOLATION is the protocol to folllow if someone develops COVID-19 SYMPTOMS (whether confirmed or not). It also applies to CONFIRMED ASYMPTOMATIC patients. 

Quarantine protocols differ depending on vaccination status. Isolation protocols differ depending on vaccination status and disease severity. Attached is the latest IATF resolution on length of quarantine and isolation. Healthcare worker protocols can be modified at the discretion of Infection Control Committees. 

Fully vaccinated means at least 14 days from 2nd dose (or 1st dose of Janssen). No specific guidelines for boosted yet but these may change in the future. No testing is needed to discontinue isolation EXCEPT for severely immunocompromised. A NEGATIVE TEST CANNOT be used to SHORTEN the minimum required isolation days. 

QUARANTINE (close contact with known or suspected positive without wearing proper PPE) 

1. Fully vaccinated - no need to quarantine, but do intensive self-monitoring for the next 14 days and wear a mask (even at home especially if living with high-risk individuals) as much as possible during this time. If you develop symptoms, start ISOLATION back to day 1 regardless of testing results. 

2. Unvaccinated/Partially vaccinated - quarantine for at least 14 days (long incubation period of COVID-19). If you develop symptoms, start ISOLATION back to day 1 regardless of testing results. 

ISOLATION 

Asymptomatic Confirmed Case 

1. Fully Vaccinated - at least 7 days from positive result. If symptoms develop during the isolation period, start again as day 1 on the first day of symptoms and isolate depending on severity as written below. 

2. Unvaccinated - at least 10 days from positive result. If symptoms develop during the isolation period, start again as day 1 on the first day of symptoms and isolate depending on severity as written below. 

Symptomatic Confirmed Case 

1. Fully vaccinated Mild (no pneumonia, no risk factors) - at least 7 days from start of symptoms. Can stop isolation on the 7th day as long as no longer febrile for at least 24 hours and symptoms are improving. 

2. Unvaccinated or Partially vaccinated Mild (no pneumonia, no risk factors) -  at least 10 days from start of symptoms. Can stop isolation on the 10th day as long as no longer febrile for at least 24 hours and symptoms are improving. 

3. Moderate regardless of vaccination status (with pneumonia but not oxygen requiring; also refers to elderly/comorbids even if with just mild symptoms) - at least 10 days from start of symptoms. Can stop isolation on the 10th day as long as no longer febrile for at least 24 hours and symptoms are improving. 

4. Severe or Critical regardless of vaccination status - at least 21 days from start of symptoms. Can stop isolation on the 21st day as long as no longer febrile for at least 24 hours and symptoms are improving. 

5. Severely immunocompromised - at least 21 days from start of symptoms. Will need negative RT PCR testing to stop isolation on the 21st day as long as no longer febrile for at least 24 hours and symptoms are improving. 

These guidelines continue to evolve over time and may be updated to include boosting. Most antigen positives will not need confirmation with an RT PCR unless required for treatment, genotyping surveillance, or for insurance purposes. When in doubt, always talk to your doctor for guidance. Stay safe!