October 26, 2021 — The Croatian Institute of Public Health (HZJZ) has published the latest instructions, recommendations and rules for determining self-isolation.
“Persons who have survived Covid-19 and completed primary vaccination (vaccinated with two doses or one dose of Janssen) are exempted from quarantine in case of close contact with an infected person without a time limit (if they develop symptoms within 14 days of last close contact, as with suspicion of COVID-19).
After close contact with an infected person, persons who have completed primary vaccination should strictly adhere to epidemiological recommendations to prevent droplet infections for the next 14 days and it is recommended that they be tested by rapid test 5-7 days after close contact (if they develop symptoms within 14 days of last close contact, is treated as a suspected COVID-19).
Only people who have had COVID-19 for the past six months are exempt from the recommendation for testing 5-7 days after close contact with the patient, ”reads the latest recommendations. In order to reduce the spread of infection, all close contacts of the patient, with the exceptions mentioned later, are referred to health surveillance in quarantine / self-isolation. “Healthcare professionals and staff in other facilities who come into contact with susceptible individuals (groups) even though they have been vaccinated against COVID-19 are tested by rapid antigen or PCR test immediately after risky contact, on day 7 after contact and on day 14 after contact, independently about how much time has passed since the completion of the primary vaccination or the receipt of the additional dose. ”, reads the new recommendations.
However, it was emphasized that “each specific situation requires an individual epidemiological assessment and that treatment may differ from the recommendations if there is a medical justification.”
The number of days of self-isolation remains the same
What remains the same is the duration of self-isolation – it still lasts 10 days. Individuals who have experienced COVID-19 without symptoms may be released from isolation 10 days after the first positive test. Patients who had a milder illness but were not immunocompromised may emerge from isolation after 10 days of testing and if they have not had a fever for three consecutive days.
“If people in quarantine / self-isolation develop symptoms of a disease compatible with COVID-19, they should be tested for SARS-CoV-2,” the instructions said. Severely immunocompromised patients may recover from self-isolation if they have not had a fever for three days, have significantly improved symptoms, and at least 20 days have passed since the first day of illness, or have had two consecutive negative SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR smear results with a minimum 24 hours, with the first swab taken at least ten days after the onset of the disease and after the patient has been without fever for three consecutive days.
Supplements to the instructions for vaccination against influenza and COVID-19 have also been published.
You can read the latest recommendations and instructions in more detail (in Croatian) here (Article translation by Google Translate).
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