The CDC Just Shortened The Recommended Time For COVID-19 Isolation. Here’s What You Need To Know.
All of these changes, how do you keep up?
The CDC now says that people that test positive for the coronavirus no longer need to quarantine for 10 days…
HUH? So confusing, but I’ll take it!
Now they are saying that you only need to isolate for 5 days if you are not showing symptoms.
Therefore, people who test positive should isolate for 5 days and, if asymptomatic at that time, they may leave isolation if they can continue to mask for 5 days to minimize the risk of infecting others.
CDC said in a statement
Apparently, new data shows that transmission of the virus happens in the first few days, which the CDC says is about 1-2 days before symptoms start and 2-3 days after.
They’ve also adjusted the quarantine time for those that have been exposed to the virus.
If you’re unvaccinated they want you to quarantine for 5 days after exposure… but if you’ve had your booster you don’t need to quarantine at all, but they do want you to mask back up for 10 days.
The Omicron variant is spreading quickly and has the potential to impact all facets of our society. CDC’s updated recommendations for isolation and quarantine balance what we know about the spread of the virus and the protection provided by vaccination and booster doses. These updates ensure people can safely continue their daily lives.
CDC’s director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, said in a statement
Part of the changes are due to the economic impact of quarantine, it SUCKS.
Having to quarantine after any possible exposure is hurting people’s income and businesses.
Our economy is going to shut down if everyone has to isolate for 10 days. Luckily the science backs up the move, at least partially. On the one hand: I’m all for following the science for the vaccinated & asymptomatic. No reason to keep people home unnecessarily.
Dr. Megan Ranney – Twitter
The CDC also changed the guidelines for health care workers after infection with the coronavirus.
They now recommend isolation for 5-7 days, and this was previously 10 days. If there were staffing shortages, that isolation time could be further reduced.
