Close contact quarantine orders dropped in Memphis
People in Shelby County who have possibly been exposed to COVID-19 by a person who is sick no longer have to quarantine, according to the health department.
The updated guidance is to bring the county in compliance with the slew of new state laws that, among other restrictions on mitigating COVID-19, also strip the autonomous department of much of its authority.
Close contacts are now “highly recommended” to quarantine, in compliance with the new state law, the health department said.
It was not immediately clear who might issue documentation of such recommendations.
Quarantine orders have often been delayed during case surges as the department became overwhelmed with cases to contact trace. The order is moot for the county's vaccinated population: Fully vaccinated people do not need to quarantine unless they have symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines cited in the county's latest health order.
The measure could see its greatest impact on schools, which regularly gather a large unvaccinated population and whose quarantine orders keep students out of in-person learning.
School districts have significantly assisted the health department in contact tracing among school groups. Through the process, students who were possibly exposed to the virus based generally on guidelines from the CDC were then told to stay home from school.
The measure is intended to curb the spread of disease by keeping a person who is possibly infectious in quarantine, away from others who could be infected.
The impact of the health department's announcement on school policies was not immediately clear.
Metro Nashville Public Schools announced a similar update to policies earlier this week. The school district told families it will still notify close contacts of best practices.
The Shelby County Health Department cited compliance with federal orders to “continue to require masks and isolation of positive COVID-19 cases in all schools covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act.”
The department is following an isolation period for people who test positive of a minimum of 10 days, from the date of the positive test or the beginning of symptoms, it told public and private school leaders Friday.
“The Department will continue to monitor the evolution of this virus as well as all pending litigation and any new developments in the law that may require action on the part of the Department or residents,” the memo concluded. “Your continued partnership in the fight against COVID-19 is appreciated.”
Several of the suburban school districts have dropped mask mandates and not reinstated them despite orders from the Shelby County Health Department Monday.
The department cited two federal court orders, one of which expressly orders the county to enforce its health orders as it relates to schools.
Germantown Municipal School District, which has a student currently suing Gov. Bill Lee and Penny Schwinn, the education commissioner, over the new laws, said Monday evening it would return to requiring masks due to a federal order in that case.
Collierville Schools, which also has a student in the suit, is mask optional while attorneys review the legislation and orders. The district did not return a request for an update to the policy Friday.
The Shelby County Health Department won't say what it is doing about Shelby County municipal school districts that aren't complying with required masking in schools. Michelle Taylor, the health department director, said Thursday the health department is investigating and “exploring” other options about the municipal district's lack of compliance with the order.
Laura Testino covers education and children’s issues for the Commercial Appeal. Reach her at laura.testino@commercialappeal.com or 901-512-3763. Find her on Twitter: @Ldtestino