The Moniteau County Health Center has updated its guidance regarding the length of time asymptomatic individuals should quarantine if considered a close contact of a person who has tested positive for the coronavirus.
Quarantine for Moniteau County residents who are asymptomatic close contacts may now end following a full 10-day period, provided monitoring for symptoms and full mask usage continues throughout the full 14-day COVID-19 incubation period, according to a Tuesday news release from the Health Center.
If symptoms develop during that time, the Health Center's guidance dictates that person should immediately isolate and contact local public health officials or a health care provider.
The modified quarantine period is effective for those entering quarantine on or after Dec. 2, the date the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released its updated quarantine options.
The Health Center noted COVID-19 testing availability in Moniteau County continues to be a challenge due to a lack of accessibility, testing supplies or testing sites.
Moniteau County remains in the state's COVID-19 "extreme risk" category as of Tuesday afternoon, with a 28.6 percent positivity rate and a rate of 422 cases per 100,000 members of the population.
Communities may move down in risk level to Category 2 (critical risk) or Category 3 (serious risk) after two consecutive weeks of meeting the lower category's criteria.
The Health Center again urged citizens to wear masks at all times in public; adhere to proper social distancing of at least 6 feet; wash hands often; stay home when sick; monitor oneself for symptoms daily; and limit regular interactions to a small group of fewer than 10 family members, friends or coworkers.
As of noon Thursday, there are 92 active cases of COVID-19 in Moniteau County, among 1,515 total confirmed since the pandemic began.