Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency Issues Public Health Quarantine Order
Friday September 3, 2021
Residents in the tri-county area to be notified to quarantine if they become a close contact.
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Today, Rebecca Burns, Health Officer of the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency (BHSJCHA), after consultation with the Agency’s Medical Director, issued a Public Health Order addressing COVID-19 quarantine measures, pursuant to the Michigan Public Health Code, MCL 333.2451 and 333.2453 and well as R 325.175(4), which is an administrative rule promulgated by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services pursuant to MCL 333.2226(d).
The Order details the requirements for any individual who resides, attends school, or is employed within Branch, Hillsdale, or St. Joseph Counties, who is notified that they are a COVID-19 close contact. Individuals who are notified as a COVID-19 close contact are ordered to quarantine for ten (10) days, or 7 days for an individual with no symptoms and a negative diagnostic test taken 5 days or more days post-exposure, as described in guidelines established by the CDC. The Order is effective September 3, 2021 and remains in effect until further order of the Health Officer.
Dr. Vogel, Medical Director states, “We are in an evolving health epidemic dealing with a highly contagious infectious disease that places our children at highest risk. While vaccination and masking are important to help control this epidemic, quarantine of those infected is the most important means we currently have to prevent spread. Since many of those exposed and who will become infectious have no symptoms we need to follow the scientific proven practice of separating those potentially infected until it is safe for them to return to the public. The quarantine orders are necessary to enforce those rules for community safety.
The Public Health Order, based upon the most recent facts about the virus, is intended to protect vulnerable individuals and people who are not yet vaccinated. The goal is to reduce transmission of COVID-19 in schools, workplaces, etc. A complete copy of the order is included with this release.
The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency is committed to promoting wellness, preventing disease, providing health care, and protecting the environment.