First, observation periods for those who had close contact with COVID-19 patients have been shortened to seven days (*the day of the last contact with the patient is treated as day zero; normal activities should be resumed on day eight or after.) For certain jobs deemed essential, observation periods could be further shortened if the person is tested negative on days four & five. The new guidelines came into effect on Jan. 28.
Second, the prefecture has downscaled its investigations to trace close contacts with the new coronavirus patients. As the region sees thousands of new cases each day, such investigations are now conducted for medical institutions, elderly care facilities, and facilities to support people with disabilities. Individuals belonging to organizations, including nurseries, schools, and company offices, should follow provided checklists to decide who had close contact with COVID-19 patients. Once you confirm close contact with any COVID-19 patients, you need to stay home and pay close attention to your health for the next seven days. *Families of COVID-19 patients are immediately considered as having close contact with a patient by the health center.
The introduction of this system (in effect from Jan. 27 ~ unknown) should help local health centers focus more on arranging necessary accommodation, moving new patients to proper facilities, providing health check-up calls to those treated at home, and so forth.
• Close contact checklist for schools, workplaces, and other facilities that found any COVID-19 patients
• Checklist for nurseries that found any COVID-19 patients
• Guide for business operators who found any COVID-19 patients in their workplace
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