What is a quarantine and why is it used?

Quarantine is put into place to prevent the possible spread of an infectious disease from someone who may have been exposed to the disease but is not yet sick. When people are quarantined, they are kept separate from others until they are out of the period when they could get sick. During that time, health officials track their health so that if they do develop symptoms, they can get them to a health care provider quickly for evaluation, testing if needed, and care.

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1. South Dakota Department of Health FAQ Guide
2. What is COVID-19?
3. How does COVID-19 spread?
4. What are the symptoms?
5. When do I seek medical evaluation and advice?
6. How can I protect myself from COVID-19?
7. How is COVID-19 treated?
8. Why is the mask / face covering mandate in place?
9. Am I required to wear a mask / face covering?
10. Who should get tested for COVID-19?
11. How do I get a test for COVID-19?
12. Should I get tested for COVID-19?
13. What is a quarantine and why is it used?
14. Is quarantine different from isolation?
15. How does self-quarantine work?
16. Can people in self-quarantine still have contact with their household members?
17. What should I do if I get sick or someone in my household gets sick?
18. When should I seek emergency medical attention?
19. What should I do if I have had close contact with someone who has COVID-19?
20. How can I prepare for an outbreak?
21. How can I prepare for COVID-19 at work?
22. How can I support local businesses during this time?
23. What mental health resources are available to help cope with COVID-19?