CDC cuts the recommended isolation period for people with COVID-19

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials say the guidance is in keeping with growing evidence that people with the coronavirus are most infectious in the two days before and three days after symptoms develop.

As the number of daily COVID cases rises above 200,000, the CDC announced Monday changes to COVID protocols including cutting isolation restrictions from 10 days to five days for vaccinated and asymptomatic people who test positive.

The CDC says that people who test positive for COVID-19 only need to isolate themselves for 5 days if they don’t show symptoms. This cuts in half the earlier recommendation of 10 days of isolation.

What people are saying?

Rochelle Walensky, MD, MPH With these updates to isolation & quarantine recommendations, it is vital people stay home and test when sick and adhere to recommended masking in order to mitigate the spread of #COVID19, especially as we continue to see more of the #OmicronVariant.

BCB So instead of staying home until you’re negative, you’ll bring back people early to help with staffing shortages, but cause a new staffing shortage as more will be infected. Robbing Peter to pay Paul. In addition, putting more at risk for serious outcomes, incl non covid patients.