Judge Dismisses Written Quarantine Order; Harvey County Health Department to Revise Procedures

A Harvey County District Court judge on Feb. 28 dismissed a written quarantine order that the Harvey County Health Department had issued for a minor identified as a contact to a case of varicella (chickenpox), the health department told the Harvey County Board of Commissioners at its March 4 meeting.

The ruling left the department without legal authority to require the child to remain at home, Lynette Reddington, director of the Harvey County Health Department, told commissioners. “The ruling from the judge was that the judge did not discount the infectious and contagious nature of the disease, varicella. He ruled that Harvey County Health Department overstepped the order of quarantine with a statement to remain in the home through the remaining 21 days of quarantine, and the order was dismissed,” Reddington said.

Why it matters: The dismissal prompted public concern about how the health department investigates exposures and issues orders, and it led county staff to say they will update internal processes to reduce legal risk and improve communication with affected families and local officials.

Public concerns and courtroom outcome

Several residents urged the commission to review the health department’s practices. Anne Roberts, who said her daughter was the subject of the order, told the commissioners, “My minor daughter... we were in court for here on Friday for a illegal quarantine order that was issued by the Harvey County Health Department, which the judge did dismiss and throw out.” Roberts said the family felt the department had not conducted contact tracing “legally or correctly.”

Other commenters said the episode recalled the intense public reaction to COVID-era health orders. Timothy Connor said, “I am very concerned because all…