April 27, 2021 4:00 a.m. 

With the new surge in daily cases and the sharp rise in COVID-19 related hospitalizations, the Oregon Health Authority is recommending that unvaccinated persons who have been exposed to a person with COVID-19 should quarantine for 14 days.

A release said that previously the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and OHA had advised that a 10-day quarantine or a seven-day quarantine with a negative COVID-19 test were acceptable alternatives. However, OHA said the 14-day quarantine is the safest option to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to others. Revised guidance for this new recommendation is being finalized.

OHA said that people who have been exposed to a person with COVID-19 are not required to quarantine if they have been fully vaccinated. A person is considered fully vaccinated if it has been two weeks or longer since they received the final dose of their respective vaccine series and they do not have symptoms of COVID-19.

Amid this newest wave of COVID-19, OHA continues to recommend protective measures such as keeping physical distance, restricting gatherings, wearing face coverings, and frequently washing hands. OHA recommends that all eligible Oregonians make a plan to get vaccinated.