BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (MOCOBIZ) — The landscape of the COVID-19 pandemic has undergone significant transformations since its inception. From the development of vaccines to the implementation of mask mandates, and now the ever-changing recommendations on isolation, the situation continues to evolve.
Dr. Tomas Aragon, California’s top public health official, recently issued a new health order that provides updated definitions for the period of isolation required for infectious diseases.
Kern County Public Health is now in line with the new order, allowing individuals who test positive for COVID-19 but are asymptomatic to not be required to isolate.
According to Paul Rzucidlo, an epidemiologist at Kern County Public Health, the isolation guidance primarily relies on symptoms. Therefore, if an individual does not exhibit any symptoms, they are deemed eligible for release.
Once you have been free of fever for 24 hours and have not taken any medication to reduce your fever, you are no longer considered infectious.
According to Rzucidlo, the common symptoms experienced during the pandemic are those that are easily noticeable, such as coughing, upper respiratory symptoms, and a runny nose.
“Some of these issues have a tendency to persist over time. However, their presence doesn’t necessarily have to disappear entirely; rather, they just need to show signs of improvement compared to their previous state.”
Even if you don’t have symptoms, you can still spread the virus to others up to two days before symptoms appear or up to 10 days after a positive test. It’s important to continue following mask guidance to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Wearing a mask is advised in the following situations:
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- you test positive for 10 days
- you believe you were exposed and will be in contact with a higher-risk person
- you are at a higher risk of becoming ill yourself.
Kern County is taking proactive steps to address COVID-19 as it would any other common respiratory illnesses. To access COVID vaccines, individuals can contact the Health Department’s Clinic Services at 661-321-3000.
