CDC Shortens Isolation Period For Covid-Positive People To 5 Days From 10

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently shortened from 10 days to five the recommended isolation times for people after they’ve tested positive for COVID-19 sans symptoms, followed by another five days of wearing a mask in public.

The CDC also shortened to five days the recommended time for vaccinated people to quarantine if they are exposed to the virus; in fact, fully vaccinated and boosted people may not need to quarantine at all, according to the CDC.

“Given what we currently know about COVID-19 and the Omicron variant, CDC is shortening the recommended time for isolation from 10 days for people with COVID-19 to five days, if asymptomatic, followed by five days of wearing a mask when around others,” the CDC said in a statement.

People whose symptoms are improving may also leave their homes after five days; people with a fever should stay home until it clears up.

“The change is motivated by science demonstrating that the majority of SARS-CoV-2 transmission occurs early in the course of illness, generally in the 1-2 days prior to onset of symptoms and the 2-3 days after,” the CDC said in a statement. “Therefore, people who test positive should isolate for five days and, if asymptomatic at that time, they may leave isolation if they can continue to mask for five days to minimize the risk of infecting others.”

“For people who are unvaccinated or are more than six months out from their second mRNA dose (or more than two months after the J&J vaccine) and not yet boosted, CDC now recommends quarantine for five days followed by strict mask use for an additional five days,” the CDC said. “Alternatively, if a five-day quarantine is not feasible, it is imperative that an exposed person wear a well-fitting mask at all times when around others for 10 days after exposure.

“Individuals who have received their booster shot do not need to quarantine following an exposure but should wear a mask for 10 days after the exposure.

“For all those exposed, best practice would also include a test for SARS-CoV-2 at day five after exposure. If symptoms occur, individuals should immediately quarantine until a negative test confirms symptoms are not attributable to COVID-19.”