Contact Tracing & Quarantine/Isolation 

IDPH Guidance

Contact Tracing: Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) now has a centralized contact tracing system to focus on text notification of  positive COVID-19 cases for investigation of high-risk populations. If you receive a text  with directions from IDPH to call 312-777-1999 or visit https://dph.illinois.gov/covid19/community-guidance/confirmed-or-possible-covid-19.html, please follow-up for additional guidance on isolation, close contact notification, and resource availability.

At-Home/Over the Counter COVID-19 Testing: At-home COVID-19 test results, where both specimen collection and testing are conducted at home, are not recorded or reported to public health for the purpose of public health follow-up. Only hgh-risk individuals with positive lab-based PCR tests will receive notification for contact tracing guidance. See lab-based Testing sites in the area.

Quarantine/Isolation Guidance:  CDC streamlines COVID-19 guidance on 8-12-22 and advises individuals to still follow state guidance. See the IDPH website for guidance for the general public: https://dph.illinois.gov/covid19/community-guidance/confirmed-or-possible-covid-19.html

Treatment:  COVID-19 medications are now available through your doctor, local pharmacies, and health clinics. If you have symptoms and test positive, check with your healthcare provider to see if you need treatment.

Fully Vaccinated Individuals:  Fully vaccinated individuals do NOT need to quarantine after contact with someone who had COVID-19 unless they have symptoms. However, fully vaccinated people should get tested 5-7 days after their exposure, even if they don’t have symptoms, and wear a mask indoors in around others for 10 days following exposure. More information on CDC guidelines.

Return to Work Letters No Longer Required:  With the shortened isolation and quarantine periods, most businesses and schools are following CDC guidance and are no longer requiring return to work letters.

Schools Guidance: See the ISBE website for guidance and CDC information: https://www.isbe.net/Pages/covid19.aspx

Day Care Guidance:  See the DCFS posting 1-31-22  https://www2.illinois.gov/dcfs/brighterfutures/healthy/Documents/Day_Care_Guidance.pdf