SYRACUSE, N.Y. — What are the rules for quarantining if you’re someone who is vaccinated against COVID-19 and still get the delta variant of the virus?
If someone is vaccinated and simply exposed to someone who has COVID-19, “you don’t have to be quarantined, but if you become symptomatic … you will have to be put in a quarantine for 10 days, which is standard,” according to Dr. Indu Gupta, the Onondaga County Health Commissioner.
She joined Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon for a COVID-19 briefing at the John H. Mulroy Civic Center on Monday afternoon. Besides quarantining, the briefing also included details on weekend COVID data, vaccine availability, the New York State Fair, and guidance for schools.
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As for area employers, how should they handle the situation if an employee contracts the delta variant.
“If my person is exposed to someone in their household … then we can decide should we have them work from home, not come [to the office], that will be our discretion at that point. So things are pretty much case-by-case basis if they’re vaccinated. If they’re unvaccinated, the same things apply as before,” Gupta said in her remarks.
The county will offer rapid COVID-19 testing available by appointment at the Fayetteville Village Hall at 425 East Genesee St. in Fayetteville between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Weekend data, vaccine availability
Onondaga County reported 90 new cases on Saturday, 61 on Sunday, and 57 on Monday, according to McMahon. The county didn’t have any new deaths from COVID-19 during the weekend.
He also reported that 29 residents are hospitalized with COVID-19, including eight residents in the intensive-care unit.
The county executive stressed the need for vaccinations to beat back the latest rise in cases.
“Our greatest tool is the vaccine, a modern-day medical miracle,” McMahon said. “Targeted mitigation … things that we know have worked or helped when the threat gets too hot, and testing … to identify the virus so we can quarantine and isolate that risk to the rest of the community.”
The county will hold its next vaccine clinic on Tuesday at the John H. Mulroy Civic Center at 421 Montgomery St. in Syracuse. The vaccine is also available at the State Fairgrounds and at area pharmacies. Doctor’s offices are also playing an increasing role in vaccinations.
“Dr. Gupta’s team has been getting contacted by primary-care providers and then we distribute the vaccine there as well,” said McMahon. “It’s your best chance of not getting COVID. It is our best tool when you get COVID to have a good outcome with the virus and prevent yourself from spending time in the hospital and/or worse.”
State Fair, school guidance
When asked about any concerns about the upcoming State Fair, McMahon said the county is discussing the matter with state officials.
“We have in our mind some mitigation ideas that can help with that, and we’re having those discussions and we have the ability to implement those mitigations [at the State Fairgrounds],” McMahon said.
In his opening remarks, McMahon also noted that the county also plans to provide COVID-19 guidance for area schools later this week.
“It will be comprehensive. It will be very thoughtful, and it will answer all the questions that people have in the community,” he said.
