NEW: Lewis County Public Health adopts CDC quarantine guidelines for vaccinated individuals

LOWVILLE- Lewis County Public Health Office in Lowville is adopting the latest CDC guidance for when it comes to quarantine policies for those who have been possibly exposed to the novel coronavirus, but are fully vaccinated.

“While the available COVID-19 vaccines have demonstrated high efficacy at preventing severe and symptomatic COVID-19, there is currently limited information on how much the vaccine might reduce transmission and how long protection lasts,” Lewis County Public Health said via their latest press release.

“In addition, the efficacy of the vaccines against emerging variants is not known.”

According to the latest CDC guidance, those who are fully vaccinated – meaning that they have received both shots, are asymptomatic and have passed at least two-weeks since their second dose – are no longer required to quarantine within three-months (90-days) after the second shot. 

Fully vaccinated Lewis County residents with an exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 or who have traveled within the US, will not be required to quarantine if they meet ALL of the following criteria:

• They are fully vaccinated at the time of their exposure or before they travel, meaning at least 14 days have passed since their second dose of the COVID 19 vaccine;

• They are within 90 days following receipt of the last dose in the series at the time of their exposure;

• They have remained asymptomatic since the current COVID-19 exposure and;

• Their vaccination status can be verified in the New York State Immunization Information System (NYSIIS), the state’s online portal that allows health care professionals access to vaccination histories.

Residents will still be required to complete a contact interview to provide the necessary information to complete the immunization verification process. 

Public health officials are still highly encouraging the general public, including those who are vaccinated and those who are not, to continue taking precautions to keep the spread of illness from reaching those who may become severely ill.

These precautions include things like maintaining social distancing, avoiding gatherings and large crowds, washing your hands frequently and wearing a face mask (properly over mouth and nose).