Editor’s Note: This article has been updated to include that Flaggs said he quarantined for 14 to 18 days.

Vicksburg Mayor George Flaggs Jr. returned to work Monday following isolation after being diagnosed with COVID-19.

“I feel great; I will be going to my office at 10 o’clock,” Flaggs said Monday morning. “I did my exercises this morning and I feel good.”

The mayor said he will be rearranging his schedule and will be at Tuesday’s meeting of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen.

Flaggs said on Aug. 2 he tested positive for COVID-19 and would be in isolation, adding he would return to work Monday.

The Centers for Disease Control recommends an end to quarantine between seven to 10 days after a positive test if the person in question has a negative COVID test and no fever for two days.

Flaggs said he did not talk to his physician about returning to work and has a doctor’s appointment Tuesday where he will take another COVID test. He did not specify whether he would return to quarantine if a retest result was positive.

Flaggs announced the positive test on Aug. 2 and said he had been in quarantine for 14 to 18 days.

“I’m wearing a mask, just like the other employees,” he said. “I’m back at work.”

He added he will take the vaccine but was told by his doctor’s office he will have to wait 90 days before he can take the first shot.

“I intend to take both shots and a third, if necessary,” he said.

According to Deputy State Epidemiologist Dr. Katie Taylor, the CDC recommends not repeating testing on previous positives for 90 days (unless the infected person develops new symptoms).

“The CDC also does not recommend repeat testing in order to end isolation,” Taylor said. “Cases should isolate for at least 10 days (and at least 24 hours fever free).”

According to the CDC: “For all others who are not severely ill or severely immunocompromised, a test-based strategy is not recommended, and isolation and precautions should be maintained for at least 10 days.”