(COLDWATER) – The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency has issued a Public Health Order addressing COVID-19 quarantine measures.

CHA Health Officer Rebecca Burns says effective immediately, 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, are ordered to quarantine for 10 days, or 7 days for an individual with no symptoms and a negative diagnostic test taken 5 days or more days post-exposure.

This is as described in guidelines established by the Centers For Disease Control.

CHA Medical Director Dr. Lauren Vogel says we are in an evolving health epidemic dealing with a highly contagious infectious disease that places children at highest risk. While vaccination and masking are important to help control this epidemic, Vogel says quarantining those infected is the most important means we currently have to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The Public Health Order went into effect September 3. It s based on the most recent facts about the virus and is intended to protect vulnerable individuals and people who are not yet vaccinated.