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COVID-19 Information

For many reasons, our patients have been spared the worst of Covid from a medical standpoint. In general, children and young adults have been spared more severe disease than their adult counterparts. The mental health aspects of Covid continue to impact  our patients today. We are working hard to support our patients and families with available resources both in and out of the scope of our practice. Please reach out today if you have concerns about your child/adolescent.

We anticipate a very busy winter season. In order to help us serve you better and keep the phone lines open for patients scheduling appointments and those in need of triage for other illnesses, we are asking for your help. If you have questions related to Covid exposures or a positive Covid diagnosis, read below the updated CDC guidelines closely as they should answer the majority of your questions.

Positive COVID Test:

This guideline applies to you if you test positive for COVID (either by rapid antigen test or PCR test) regardless of your vaccination status.

  1. Stay home for 5 days.
  2. If you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving after 5 days, you can leave your house.
  3. Continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days (this includes wearing a mask at home as well as outside the home).
      1. If you are unable to wear a mask, you must isolate at home for a total of 10 days.
  4. If you have a fever, continue to stay home until your fever has resolved for 24 hours.

*Please note: The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) agrees with the above isolation guidelines (5 days at home, 5 days masked) and does not require a negative test to return to school.

Reasons to call the office for guidance:

  1. Chest pain
  2. Increased work of breathing/labored breathing
  3. Concerns for dehydration
  4. Fever (>101) for more than 72 hours in a child younger then 2 years of age
  5. Fever (>101) for more than 120 hours (5 days) in a child 2 years of age or older

Cardiac Clearance Requirements:

  1. Applies to those who are 12 years or older involved in any JV, club or Varsity sports
  2. An office visit is required at least 7-10 days (after positive test) if symptoms are resolved if:
    1. Greater than 4 days of fever > 100.4 degrees.
    2. Greater then 7 days of muscle aches, chills, or extreme fatigue.
    3. If your child was hospitalized.
  3. For all others with asymptomatic or mild disease, you may call the office to book a telehealth visit. Our providers will assist you in providing a clearance letter for a gradual return to play protocol.
    1. This applies if there was less than 4 days of fever >100.4 and less than 7 days of muscle aches, chills, or extreme fatigue.

Close Contact of Individual with COVID- Fully Vaccinated

This guideline applies if you have been identified as a close contact of an individual with COVID and you have either:

  1. Received 3 doses of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or
  2. Received 2 doses of the J&J vaccine (or 1 J&J and 1 Pfizer/Moderna) or
  3. Received 2 doses of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine within the last 6 months or
  4. Received the J&J vaccine within the last 2 months

Guidelines:

  1. Wear a mask around others (including at home) for 10 days.
  2. Test on day 5 (if possible).
    1. Negative rapid antigen tests should be confirmed with a PCR test.
    2. Positive rapid antigen tests are assumed to be positive and do not need confirmation.
  3. If you develop any symptoms, get a test and stay home.

 

Close Contact of Individual with COVID- Not Fully Vaccinated

This guideline applies if you have been identified as a close contact of an individual with COVID and you have either:

  1. Received 2 doses of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine over 6 months ago and have not been boosted or
  2. Received 1 dose of the J&J vaccine over 2 months ago and is not boosted or
  3. Received 1 dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna or
  4. Have not received any COVID vaccines

Guidelines:

  1. Stay at home for 5 days. After that, continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.
    1. If you are unable to wear a mask, you must isolate at home for a total of 10 days.
  2. If you cannot quarantine, you must wear a mask for 10 days.
  3. Test on day 5 (if possible) with a PCR test (preferred).
    1. Negative rapid antigen tests should be confirmed with a PCR test.
    2. Positive rapid antigen tests are assumed to be positive and do not need confirmation.
  4. If you develop any symptoms, get a test and stay home.

 

A Word About Continuous Exposure:

Please note that if your exposure is continuous and you are unable to separate from someone who has COVID, you are being exposed to COVID on a daily basis. This makes the quarantine period longer since your date of last exposure is constantly changing.

For example, if a mother tests positive for COVID and is unable to separate from a baby. The baby is therefor being exposed to COVID on each day that the mother remains infectious (10 days, assuming mild symptoms). The baby then needs an additional 10 days of quarantine starting when the mother is no longer assumed to be infectious. In this scenario, the baby should be tested 5 days after the mother is no longer infectious (day 15 after her diagnosis) and needs to quarantine for 20 days total.

From all of us at Cape Cod Pediatrics, it has been a pleasure to partner with you today and always. We work hard to provide the very best care to our patients and appreciate your confidence and trust!

Best wishes for a stronger, healthier, and safe New Year!

 

For more information on the changes from the CDC regarding shortened isolation and quarantined periods, click the link below.

 

CDC Isolation Updates
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