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I. INTRODUCTION: <br />Isolation is the separation of infected persons from others during the period of communicability. <br />Quarantine is the limitation of freedom of movement of well persons who are suspected to have <br />been exposed to an infectious agent. Quarantine lasts as long as the usual incubation period of <br />the infectious agent. Persons assigned to care for infectious or potentially infectious individuals <br />must be protected as well as patients. <br />II. PURPOSE OF THE ISOLATION AND QUARANTINE RESPONSE PLAN: <br />A. Establish the decision making criteria used by the County Health Officer to determine when <br />isolation and/or quarantine beyond the capacities of communicable disease practices is necessary <br />to minimize health impact of a disease outbreak. <br />B. Identify the authorities, roles, and responsibilities of KCPHD and partner agencies in the <br />situation of a disease outbreak requiring isolation and quarantine (I & Q) of one or more <br />individuals. <br />C. Describe procedures and activities for accomplishing I & Q of large numbers of individuals in <br />the county. <br />E. Describe procedures for staffing a dedicated facility for I & Q of persons who cannot stay in <br />their homes or who do not have a suitable home environment. <br />F. Define roles and responsibilities for KCPHD, local health care partners, and local response <br />agencies during an outbreak requiring isolation and/or quarantine. <br />G . Describe how communications and coordination will occur between KCPHD, local and state <br />entities during such an incident. <br />H. Assist KCPHD and response partners to limit the spread of infectious diseases, illness, and <br />death within Kittitas County. <br />Ill. PLANNING ASSUMPTIONS: <br />This plan applies to communicable disease occurrences requiring isolation and quarantine that <br />may exceed day to day capabilities. While I & Q are techniques used in the everyday <br />management of infectious disease, this plan does not apply to the prevention and control of <br />sexually transmitted diseases, or routine operation of communicable disease management. <br />A. Isolation and quarantine planning efforts must incorporate and address the unique needs and <br />circumstances of vulnerable populations including the homeless, limited English proficiency <br />populations, persons with special medical needs, etc. <br />37