The 10-day quarantine restriction after testing positive for COVID-19 in Pecos County could soon be changing.

Pecos County Emergency Management Coordinator Jessie Dominguez said the Texas Department of State Health Services stated on Jan. 5 via a conference call that the 10-day quarantine time period will remain for at least the next few days.

"They said to follow protocol till they make a final decision. They're still debating about the masks. They said hopefully by the end week they'll make a final decision," he said.

Dominguez explained that the hold up in changing the number of quarantine days is because of the details in the CDC’s recommendation.

In a press release last week, the CDC stated that people who test positive for COVID-19 should isolate for five days and if they are asymptomatic or their symptoms are resolving (without fever for 24 hours), individuals need to wear a mask for five additional days when around others to minimize the risk of infecting people they encounter.

“The thing that we’re hearing is, the governor stated that we can’t mandate masks, so the CDC said (in their recommendation) after five days you’re supposed to be wearing a mask,” Dominguez said. “That’s where the conflict is. How can we enforce it if the governor says we can’t mandate masks?”

Pecos County Memorial Hospital had a physician meeting on Jan. 4 and a decision to follow the CDC’s new recommendation was agreed upon pending the state’s decision on the matter.

Dominguez added that medical staff will be an exception to the current 10-day quarantine period. Healthcare workers will be allowed to go back to work five days after a positive test if they are asymptomatic.

"Medical staff can do the five-day quarantine then return back to work because they are required to wear a mask anyways, as long as they're not sick," Dominguez said.

Updates will be provided on quarantine restrictions in the county by the Pioneer as soon as new information is released.