CDC Updates COVID-19 Quarantine and Isolation Guidance
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released updated guidance on COVID-19 quarantine and isolation for the general public.
The CDC now recommends that people with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 stay home and isolate for at least 5 full days, and then in the next 5 days mask when around others, avoid high-risk individuals, avoid travel, and avoid eating or drinking around others. Those who continue to have a fever or other symptoms that have not improved should wait to end isolation until symptoms improve.
Notably, the CDC did not recommend waiting for a negative test to end isolation early. However, the CDC did say that those who have access to a test and want to test should use an antigen test towards the end of the 5-day isolation period and continue to isolate until day 10 if the result is positive.
The CDC similarly shortened quarantine guidelines, recommending individuals who had close contact with someone with COVID-19 stay home and away from others for at least 5 days. Those who test negative or who cannot receive a test can exit quarantine but should continue to wear a mask until 10 days after their close contact.
The CDC recommends that the following individuals do not need to quarantine if they come into close contact with someone with COVID-19:
Individuals 18 or older who have received all recommended vaccine doses, including boosters.
Children 5-17 who have completed the primary series of COVID-19 vaccines.
Individuals who had confirmed COVID-19 within the last 90 days.