What You Need to Know About the New, Shorter CDC Isolation Guidelines
As the number of Omicron cases in the U.S. continues to rise , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is cutting the recommended isolation time from 10 days to five days for anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 if they do not leak. After five days at home (or some isolation), patients should still wear the mask around others for an additional five days.
According to the CDC on Monday, the change is “motivated by science demonstrating that most SARS-CoV-2 transmission occurs early in the disease,” usually in the first two days before symptoms appear and within two to three days. days later. CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walenski says the updated guidelines “balance what we know about the spread of the virus with the protection provided by vaccinations and boosters.”
This abbreviated recommendation does not mean that the virus should be taken less seriously. Walenski says: “Get vaccinated, get boosted vaccinations, wear a face mask in public areas in high and high community transmission rates, and get tested before going.” Below are the current CDC isolation guidelines based on a variety of factors.
What to do if you test positive for COVID-19
If you test positive for COVID-19, regardless of vaccination, you should isolate yourself for at least five days.
If you have no symptoms
If you have no symptoms or symptoms have disappeared after five days, you can leave the house and continue masking for five days to minimize the risk of infecting others.
If you have symptoms
The CDC update does not explicitly state how long to isolate infected people who still have symptoms. The CDC previously stated that people with COVID-19 symptoms should be isolated for 10 days .
Once you start noticing symptoms ( which are listed here by the CDC ), you should be quarantined immediately until a negative test confirms that these symptoms are not related to COVID-19.
What to do if you have been in contact with someone with COVID-19
If you are fully vaccinated
For those who (1) got boosted, (2) completed a Pfizer or Moderna primary series within the past six months, or (3) completed a J&J primary series within the past 2 months:
- Wear the mask next to those around you for 10 days.
- Get tested five days after infection, even if you have no symptoms. (If you do develop symptoms, take the test and stay home.)
If you are not fully vaccinated
For those who (1) completed a primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine more than six months ago and did not receive a revaccination, (2) completed a primary series of J&J vaccine more than two months ago and did not receive a revaccination, or (3) are not vaccinated:
- Stay home five days. If possible, do the test on the fifth day.
- After isolation, continue wearing the mask next to those around you for another five days.
- If you cannot go to quarantine, put on a mask for 10 days.
How to calculate the duration of your isolation
To calculate your 10-day isolation and masking period: Day Zero is your first day of symptom onset as per the CDC’s plan earlier this month . Your “first day” is the first full day after symptoms start.
Get acceleration
If this news upsets you, remember that vaccines still work against Omicron, but getting a booster shot is key . It is true that Omicron appears to be more transmissive than previous options, but evidence is emerging that Omicron may cause less serious disease . However, vaccines and previous infections do not protect against Omicron as well as against previous strains. Here’s a CDC guide to getting a booster if you haven’t already.