CDC Updates and Shortens Recommended COVID-19 Isolation
and Quarantine Period for General Population
Published: December 28, 2021
at 01:00 p.m.
By: Press Release from U.S. Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention
CDC Updates and Shortens Recommended Isolation and Quarantine
Period for General Population
Media Statement
For Immediate
Release: Monday, December 27, 2021
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
5 days, if asymptomatic, followed by 5 days of wearing a mask when around
others. 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. 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.
Additionally, CDC is
updating the recommended quarantine period for those exposed to COVID-19.
For people who are unvaccinated or are more than six months out from their
second mRNA dose (or more than 2 months after the J&J vaccine) and not
yet boosted, CDC now recommends quarantine for 5 days followed by strict
mask use for an additional 5 days. Alternatively, if a 5-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 5 after exposure. If symptoms occur, individuals
should immediately quarantine until a negative test confirms symptoms are
not attributable to COVID-19.
Isolation relates to
behavior after a confirmed infection. Isolation for 5 days followed by
wearing a well-fitting mask will minimize the risk of spreading the virus
to others. Quarantine refers to the time following exposure to the virus or
close contact with someone known to have COVID-19. Both updates come as the
Omicron variant continues to spread throughout the U.S. and reflects the
current science on when and for how long a person is maximally infectious.
Data from South
Africa and the United Kingdom demonstrate that vaccine effectiveness
against infection for two doses of an mRNA vaccine is approximately 35%. A
COVID-19 vaccine booster dose restores vaccine effectiveness against
infection to 75%. COVID-19 vaccination decreases the risk of severe
disease, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19. CDC strongly encourages
COVID-19 vaccination for everyone 5 and older and boosters for everyone 16
and older. Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and reduce the
impact of COVID-19 on our communities.
The following is
attributable to CDC Director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky:
“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. Prevention is our best option: get vaccinated, get boosted,
wear a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial and high
community transmission, and take a test before you gather.”
If You Test Positive for COVID-19 (Isolate)
Everyone, regardless
of vaccination status.
·
Stay
home for 5 days.
·
If
you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving after 5 days, you can
leave your house.
·
Continue
to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.
If you have a fever,
continue to stay home until your fever resolves.
If You Were Exposed to Someone with COVID-19
(Quarantine)
If you:
Have been boosted
OR
Completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine within the last 6
months
OR
Completed the primary series of J&J vaccine within the last 2 months
·
Wear
a mask around others for 10 days.
·
Test
on day 5, if possible.
If you develop
symptoms get a test and stay home.
If you:
Completed the
primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine over 6 months ago and are
not boosted
OR
Completed the primary series of J&J over 2 months ago and are not
boosted
OR
Are unvaccinated
·
Stay
home for 5 days. After that continue to wear a mask around others for 5
additional days.
·
If
you can’t quarantine you must wear a mask for 10 days.
·
Test
on day 5 if possible.
If you develop
symptoms get a test and stay home
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