The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Monday shortened the recommended time when people test positive for Covid-19 should isolate from 10 days to five days if they do not have symptoms – and if they do not have symptoms. One wears a mask and the other for at least five more days.
The CDC has also shortened the recommended time for quarantining people if they come into contact with the virus to the same five days if they are vaccinated. The CDC said that people who have been fully vaccinated and raised do not need to be quarantined at all.
“Given what we currently know about COVID-19 and the Omron variant, CDC is reducing the recommended time for isolation for people with COVID-19 from 10 days to five days, if asymptomatic, This was followed five days after wearing the mask when other CDC said in a statement.
The CDC said people whose symptoms are getting better can also leave their homes after five days, as long as their symptoms do not improve. The CDC said people who have a fever should stay home until the fever is gone.
“This change is inspired by science that shows that most SARS-CoV-2 transmission occurs early in the course of the disease, usually 1-2 days before and 2-3 days after the onset of symptoms. Therefore, people who test positive must isolate for five days and, if asymptomatic at that time, may leave isolation if they can continue to mask for five days to reduce the risk of infecting others.”
Quarantine refers to the time people are away from others when they have been exposed to a disease but are not yet testing positive or showing symptoms.
The CDC changed those recommendations as well. “For people who haven’t been vaccinated or have been out of their second mRNA dose (or more than two months after the J&J vaccine) for more than six months and have not yet been extended, the CDC is now in quarantine for five days.” And thereafter the use of hardening masks for an additional five days,” it said.
A break for the boosted
“Alternatively, if a five-day quarantine is not possible, it is imperative that an exposed person wear a well-fitting mask at all times when there is exposure for 10 days around others,” the CDC said.
The CDC said people who are vaccinated and raised are usually off the hook for quarantine.
“Individuals who have received their booster shot are not required to quarantine after exposure, but must wear a mask for 10 days after exposure,” it said.
“For all of them, best practice would also include a test for SARS-CoV-2 on the fifth day after exposure. If symptoms occur, individuals should immediately quarantine until a negative test confirms that The symptoms are not due to COVID-19.”
Dr. Anthony Fauci said that the purpose of change was, in part, to keep society running smoothly.
Fauci told CNN’s Jim Acosta, “The new cases we have and we expect to continue with Omicron, one of the things we want to be careful about is that we don’t have that many people. “ ,
“We want to get people back into jobs, especially essential jobs, to keep society running smoothly,” said Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Boosters lower risk
The CDC said the boosters greatly reduce the risk that someone will become infected and pass the virus on to someone else.
“Data from South Africa and the United Kingdom show that vaccine effectiveness against infection for two doses of an mRNA vaccine is approximately 35%. A COVID-19 vaccine booster dose restores the vaccine’s effectiveness against infection by 75% does,” it said.
“The Omicron variant is spreading rapidly and has the potential to impact all aspects of our society,” CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Valensky said in a statement.
“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 that people can safely continue with their daily lives Prevention is our best option: get vaccinated, increased, wear a mask in a public indoor setting in areas with substantial and high community transmission, and take a test before gathering.”
Everyone who can get a vaccine should get one, the CDC stressed.
“COVID-19 vaccination reduces the risk of serious illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19. The CDC recommends COVID-19 vaccination for all people 5 and older and for all people 16 and older. Encourages boosters for vaccinations. Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and reduce the impact of COVID-19 on our communities.
Last week, the CDC updated its guidance for health care workers with COVID-19 who show no symptoms or have mild symptoms, saying they can return to work after seven days if they are able to return to work at that point. Test negative for infection.
Previously, people who were exposed to COVID-19 but did not test positive were advised to quarantine for 14 days, and those who tested positive for COVID-19 for a full 10 days. Was advised to separate.