Washington Board of Health discusses quarantine orders

WASHINGTON - The Washington County Board of Health discussed implementing quarantine and isolation orders for positive COVID-19 cases.

If an individual has been exposed to COVID-19, has tested positive or has been showing symptoms, the Board of Health can sign an order that informs the person of their responsibilities and the necessary steps the individual must take.

A few examples of when these orders would be necessary are if an individual is refusing to quarantine or isolate, or if an employer is threatening to terminate employment due to an isolation.

These are two situations Public Health Director Danielle Pettit-Majewski has seen.

Pettit-Majewski said she does not want to use orders, but they needed to create a process in case it is necessary.

'We would much rather people do the right thing and 99.99 percent of the time that will work,” she said.

Instead of having to call a special board meeting every time an order needs to be given, the board voted to give Chair Cathy Buffington and Dr. Trevor Martin the authority to sign on behalf of the board with documentation.

The order template Pettit-Majewski presented to the board was created by the Iowa Department of Public Health.

Board member Jack Seward Jr. questioned certain requirements such as requiring people to not have direct contact with dogs, cats, livestock and other animals.

At a future meeting, the board will review the requirements listed in the orders and discuss what they feel is necessary to include.