HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Senior leaders announced the installation transitioned to Health Protection Condition Bravo+ effective Jan. 10.
Additionally, in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Department of Defense guidance, individuals who test positive with COVID-19 should now isolate for a minimum of five days. They may return to work after five days if they are asymptomatic or their symptoms have resolved, including being fever-free for 24 hours. Individuals should follow that by five days of wearing a mask to minimize the risk of infecting people they encounter, even in circumstances in which mask wearing was not previously required.
“The five-day rule is the minimum for a COVID-positive patient,” said Lt. Col. Ryan Gough, 66th Medical Squadron public health emergency officer. “If symptoms are not improving by the end of five days, we recommend that individuals continue to stay home and isolate until symptoms have significantly improved.”
Personnel can return to their workplace once they complete a minimum of five days of isolation and symptoms have improved, including being fever-free (<100.4 F) for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medicines. However, they must remain masked at all times for at least 10 days following their diagnosis.
Personnel identified as close contacts who have not completed their primary vaccine series or had a booster shot in the last 5 months should also quarantine for at least five days. Gough said these individuals should be tested on day five, and if negative, may return to work but need to remain masked until day 10.
Those close contacts who are fully vaccinated or have received their booster shot within the last 5 months, and are not experiencing any systems, are able to return to work without quarantine, but should be tested five days after their close contact and continue to wear a mask until day 10.
All base organizations should continue to utilize telework to the maximum extent possible.
Gough said that anyone exhibiting signs consistent with COVID, such as a dry cough, a fever of 100.4 or more, shortness of breath, or sore throat, is encouraged to stay home until symptoms resolve regardless of a negative COVID test.
Individuals who test positive for COVID using an-at home test should notify their supervisor and remain at home. Individuals should not self-report to Public Health, but should coordinate through their chain of command.
All positive test results, either home or PCR, should be reported to Public Health by the individual’s unit in a timely manner to ensure reporting is as accurate as possible. PCR tests may be accomplished from any licensed medical provider and are also available through 66 MDS by calling the Hanscom Clinic appointment line at 781-225-6789.
Testing is done Monday through Friday from 8 to 11 a.m.
For questions and additional information about COVID vaccines, boosters, and current COVID guidance email usaf.hanscom.66-abg.list.publichealth@mail.mil.