Every day, this site receives numerous COVID-19 updates from several health agencies. The reports use the terms 'isolation' and 'quarantine' and there is an important difference. Early Friday, the public was told that President Trump was in 'isolation' after testing positive for COVID-10. Theresa Moore is with the Allegany County Department of Health. She explains the difference:
Isolation is for people who have symptoms. Isolation separates sick people with a contagious disease from people who are not sick.
Quarantine is for people who are well, but have some kind of exposure. Quarantine separates and restricts the movement of people who were exposed to a contagious disease to see if they become sick (incubation period).
