Although we continue to see some new cases, many members of our community are now recovering from their illness, and questions are arising about under what circumstances patients who recover can now leave their homes.
Our position is that of the NYC DOH guidelines: Two things must occur for a patient to be considered “recovered” and no longer be in isolation. Seven days must have passed from their beginning of symptoms AND 72 hours must have passed from when their symptoms and fever ended. If both of these things have occurred, a patient is out of that “window” and need no longer isolate.
HOWEVER, those patients who have thankfully recovered and are out of that “window”, although they no longer need to isolate at home, they must still practice social distancing, leaving home only if needed, maintaining 6 feet between themselves and others, and all other social distancing guidelines as practiced by those not in isolation. Within those limits, we are encouraging those that can, to get some fresh air with their children.
Related to this is the question of when patients are no longer “contagious”. According to the current DOH guidelines, those recovering and now outside of the “window” are thought to be far less likely to be able to infect others, but this is not known for sure – there remains the small possibility that someone out of that window may still be infectious. Therefore, please continue to practice social distancing, paying particular attention to those more vulnerable.
We have been receiving many questions related to travel and Pesach. At this time we are discouraging travel out of Crown Heights, and recommending the “Seder-in-place” approach of many other communities. This is both to prevent the spread of disease elsewhere, as well as protect those from Crown Heights who have not been ill. If there are specific questions, please continue to call the hotline and we will attempt to provide guidance in line with local guidelines. Please be aware that the situation continues to evolve, and we will continue to update the community as new information becomes available.
Many of those who became ill in the week or so following Purim are currently hospitalized and in need of our tefillos. May they have a speedy and complete recovery b’soch she’ar cholei yisroel.
A special thank you again to Hatzalah, for their tireless and extraordinary heroism during this time.
As a community, we continue to struggle against this pandemic, and grieve for those we have lost. May Hashem comfort their families among the other mourners of Tzion and Yerushalayim.
———
COVID hotline: 212-901-2000
Errand helpline: [email protected]
To speak to a mental health professional, please call the hotline and follow the prompts.
– The Gedaliah Society, in conjunction with Dr. Eli Rosen
If someone has a cough or has loss of smell, are they fully covered? Can those who had the virus get together, such as married children with parents who have had? Can those who have had make a minyan together?
call our hotline
Has anyone lost their sense of taste and smell for almost 2 weeks?
Yes
Yes…
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued guidelines for when it is OK to release someone from isolation. They include meeting all of these requirements:
The patient is free from fever without the use of fever-reducing medications.
The patient is no longer showing symptoms, including cough.
The patient has tested negative on at least two consecutive respiratory specimens collected at least 24 hours apart
I would like to see more guidelines please regarding those who are married in CH and don’t live with their parents but a few blocks away in CH – and their parents already recovered from the virus- can we join our parents for the sedarim and pesach meals? We Will have been socially distant for about 3.5 weeks once pesach comes, and we will remain distant from everyone else. I’m sure there are many people in this position- please advise.
Yes wondering the same.. for married children
And what can singles do? It’s very hard to be alone for Shabbos and Yom Tov meals. I’m sure many singles in this situation
Many of the local questions are very case specific, and depend on the makeup of each household, and where they are holding with respect to no symptoms, currently ill, recovering etc, as well as the mental health toll in each case. Given such a variability, it’s hard to have blanket guidelines. Please call the hotline and we will attempt to guide those with questions as best as possible.
What is suggestion for elder widow/widower who would be alone pesach?
no solution. it’ll be hard. that’s the situation
I am hearing that people are over a week in, feel great most of the time, and just seem to have a little symptoms (scratchy throat, etc) at night. Should they assume they can still infect others?
Yes, if they still have symptoms, even small symtoms
It is great that guidelines are being given locally based on city and state guidelines. It is however important to be educated and listen to these state and city briefing as they are the ones who we are ultimately required to follow and have the most information. They have been clear about families not getting together that are currently separated. This is even more of a concern with elderly grandparents. This is not about personal convenience and what we would like but what is needed to keep people safe. It is clear that these guidelines will be through the end… Read more »
People who are sick with similar symptoms may be assumed to have it but unless you were tested positive, it is likely you did not get the virus in the first place. Most people with symptoms test negative. This is important because if you did not have the virus, your body does not have the antibodies and you can get infected with the virus for real after “recovering”, yet not show any symptoms, and therefore much more likely to infect others, especially family. Bottom line: The guidelines are for those tested positive. Most people with symptoms have not been tested,… Read more »
Essentially, for 95% people, you have TOLD US NOTHING! Since even if we had symptoms, we can never be 100% certain that it was Covid — UNLESS — we were able to get tested THEN and test was positive. HOWEVER, most people could NOT get tested THEN (and swab tests will show as negative after one’s peak infection), so IF we can even get a test now, the test shows as negative (this is my own experience), so even if I last had a symptom 3 weeks ago, I really still need to isolate. ??? 🙁 ? Am I correct… Read more »
That’s why they are discouraging testing and only Ill people can get tested. It’s harder to maintain Shelter in place in society when half the population starts going about their business again. So as long as there is doubt let’s force everyone to continue stuck at home for the next 2 months.
…and yes, some of us single people will be alone; or with a roommate and that’s it, and this is a good opportunity to focus on what Pesach truly means to us, internally as a process of liberation
Just stay home and stop playing guessing games…people are getting reinfected after recovery