DOH XI communicates policy shift due to Omicron

DAVAO CITY, Jan 21 (PIA) – The Department of Health XI highlighted the recent policy shift of the government especially on quarantine guidelines due to the recent surge of cases in the National Capital Region (NCR) and some parts of the country.

In a DOH virtual presser held Thursday, Dr. Rachel Joy Pasion of the DOH XI informed the updated guidelines on quarantine, isolation, and testing for COVID19 response and case management for the Omicron Variant.

“Thru DOH DM 2022-0013, there were some revisions on the protocol as NCR experienced increase in the number of cases, there was a transmission of the virus which is 4.2% faster than the previous variants,” Dr. Pasion said.

Said updated guidelines reduced the isolation period for asymptomatic, suspect, probable, or confirmed case with mild symptoms fully vaccinated individuals to at least 7 days from the onset of symptoms; partially vaccinated or unvaccinated persons to at least 10 days; fully vaccinated healthcare workers to quarantine at least 7 days and may be shortened up to 5 days if with booster; while unvaccinated healthcare workers to quarantine at least 10 days.

Symptomatic, suspect, probable. Or confirmed case with moderate symptoms, regardless of vaccination status, must isolate for at least 10 days from onset of symptoms.

Those with severe and critical symptoms must isolate for at least 21 days.

The quarantine period for asymptomatic close contacts who are fully vaccinated would be for at least 5 days from exposure while those partially vaccinated or unvaccinated must quarantine for at least 14 days from exposure.

The DOH also updated its testing prioritization now focused on A1 or healthcare workers, A2 senior citizens, or A3 Persons with Comorbidities.

Testing using Antigen tests is also recommended only for symptomatic individuals and in instances wherein RT-PCR is not available.

Testing is also optional for other groups not stated in the priority list, including for community level actions wherein case management of probable and confirmed cases remain the same.

The DOH also said that testing is not recommended for asymptomatic close contacts. Instead, symptom monitoring is recommended. If testing will be used, it should be done at least 5 days from the day of last exposure.

Testing is also not recommended for screening asymptomatic individuals.

The DOH also allows for home quarantine and isolation especially for the management of probable and confirmed cases who are asymptomatic, mild, or moderate. This is allowed provided that infrastructure has a well-ventilated room and there’s a line for communication utilities. There must be separate and accessible bedrooms; and must have resources such as primary caregiver, medications, meals, hygiene products. (PIA XI/Frances Mae Macapagat)

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