                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

ISOLATION MAY BE ORDERED UNDER CERTAIN EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES; COMMISSIONER
AUTHORIZED TO REQUIRE HOSPITALIZATION OR OTHER HEALTH CARE (§ 32.1-48.011)

A. Whenever the State Health Commissioner makes a determination of exceptional
circumstances pursuant to &#xA7; 32.1-48.05 and that the isolation procedures
set forth in Article 3.01 (&#xA7; 32.1-48.01 et seq.) of this chapter are
insufficient control measures to contain a communicable disease of public health
threat, the isolation procedures herein may be invoked.

B. The State Health Commissioner may order the isolation of a person or persons
upon a finding that (i) such person or persons are infected with or may
reasonably be suspected to be infected with a communicable disease of public
health threat and (ii) isolation is necessary to protect the public health, to
ensure such isolated person or persons receive appropriate medical treatment,
and to protect health care providers and others who may come into contact with
such infected person or persons.

C. The State Health Commissioner shall record his findings and any information
on which he has relied in making the finding required for isolation pursuant to
this section. The State Health Commissioner&#8217;s record of findings
concerning any communicable disease of public health threat that is involved in
an order of isolation shall be confidential and shall not be disclosed in
accordance with subdivision 12 of &#xA7; 2.2-3705.5.

D. The Commissioner may order the isolated person or persons to remain in their
places of residence, to remain in another place where they are present, or to
report to a place or facility designated by the Commissioner for the duration of
their isolation. An electronic device may be used to enforce any such isolation.
The Commissioner&#8217;s order of isolation shall be for a duration consistent
with the known course of such communicable disease of public health threat or,
if the course of the disease is unknown or uncertain, for a period consistent
with the probable course of the communicable disease of public health threat.

E. To the extent that persons subject to an order of isolation pursuant to this
article require hospitalization or other health care services, the State Health
Commissioner shall be authorized to require that such services be provided.

F. The State Health Commissioner shall also have the authority to monitor the
medical condition of any person or persons subject to an order of isolation
pursuant to this article through regular visits by public health nurses or such
other means as the Commissioner shall determine to be necessary.

HISTORY: 2004, cc. 773, 1021; 2017, c. 778.