***PRESS RELEASE***
San Benito County aligns with the California Department of Public Health COVID-19 updated Guidance.
San Benito County, CA. San Benito County Health & Human Services Agency - Public Health Services will adopt California Department of Public Health (CDPH) changes to COVID-19 guidance regarding isolation and quarantine, as well as masking in high-risk settings.
“Since March of 2020, we have made tremendous progress in learning to live with this virus. Social distancing, widespread testing, masking, and vaccination have all contributed to minimizing deaths in our community and prevented our health care system from being overwhelmed. As we begin our fourth year in responding to this crisis, COVID-19 continues to take a toll on our most vulnerable, unvaccinated individuals, but our health care system is no longer facing the same threat from this pandemic” says Dr. David Ghilarducci, Health Officer for San Benito County.
Therefore, in alignment with CDPH, San Benito County Public Health Services will be making the following changes to existing COVID-19 guidance:
1. Reduced Isolation After Positive COVID-19 Test Effective March 17, 2023, for the general public isolation can end after Day 5 if:
symptoms are not present or are mild and improving; AND
fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication).
If fever is present, isolation should continue for an additional 24 hours after fever resolves. This update removes the recommendation to test in order to leave isolation before Day 10.
2. Masking in High-Risk and Health Care Settings Beginning April 3, 2023, masks will no longer be a mandatory requirement in indoor high-risk and health care settings for staff, residents, or visitors. Each entity has the right to implement their own masking requirement. This includes health care, long-term care, and correctional facilities, as well as homeless, emergency, and warming/cooling centers.
Additionally, San Benito County Public Health Services would like to remind the community COVID-19 resources such as vaccines, tests, and treatment remain available through some providers and pharmacies. Visit My Turn - California COVID-19 Vaccine Scheduling & Notifications to find existing vaccine clinics. Treatment is available through providers and some pharmacies; individuals who are uninsured or cannot get timely treatment can call (833) 686-5051 or visit sesamecare.com/covidca.
For questions or inquiries, please call Public Health Services at (831) 637-5367 between 8 a.m. and
5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
