State shortens its COVID-19 quarantine period to 10 days

ALBANY — New York is shortening its COVID quarantine requirements for people exposed to the virus to 10 days from 14, Gov. Cuomo announced on Tuesday.

The move aligns with recently updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.

Under the new rules, someone exposed to another person with coronavirus can end their required self-isolation after just 10 days without testing as long as they don’t experience any symptoms.

After the 10 days, New Yorkers must still monitor themselves for symptoms and contact their health care provider or local health department if anything changes, the governor’s office said.

Hospitals in the Empire State, meanwhile, continue to see an increase in coronavirus patients, with 7,814 people currently being treated for the deadly virus.

Cuomo noted that just 31% of all hospital and intensive care beds in the state remain available.

Another 124 New Yorkers died of the virus Monday, bringing the state’s official death toll to 29,756.

The state Corrections and Community Supervision Department, meanwhile, quietly announced visitations will be suspended at facilities statewide starting Wednesday after a “significant increase in COVID-19 infections among the incarcerated population, staff and the surrounding communities.”

“We will continue to monitor the infection rates and resume visitation as soon as practical. We recognize that visitation is a vital part of family reunification, and therefore, we will resume it when safe to do so,” the department said.

The post-Christmas uptick in cases continues with the state reporting 7.14% of test results coming back positive statewide, leading the governor to caution against gatherings as the holiday season comes to a close with New Year’s Eve.

“While the holidays have always been synonymous with socialization, the data shows a vast majority of new cases are stemming from private gatherings,” he said. “I understand not being able to join together with loved ones makes an already trying year more difficult, but it also means we control our own destiny.”