The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is shortening the recommended time for isolation from 10 days to 5 days for anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 if they are not showing symptoms. After five days of staying home, patients should wear a mask around others for another five days.
According to the CDC, this change is motivated by science that shows that most of the transmission of the disease occurs in the first two days after the symptoms appear. The updated recommendations balance what we know about the spread of the virus and the protection provided by vaccination and booster doses, according to the CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky.
The recommendation does not mean the virus should be taken less seriously. Walensky says to wear a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial and high community transmission, and take a test before you gather. The CDC has guidelines for isolation depending on a variety of factors.
If you test positive, what should you do?
If you test positive for COVID-19, you should be isolated for at least five days.
If you don't have symptoms.
If you don't have any symptoms after five days, you can leave your house and continue to wear a mask for five days to reduce the risk of infecting others.
If you have any symptoms.
The CDC didn't say how long people who are still sick need to stay away from each other. The CDC has said that people with COVID-19 should be isolated.
If you start to notice symptoms that are not related to COVID-19, you should immediately be put under a quark.
If you were exposed to someone with COVID-19, what should you do?
If you are fully protected.
For those who have been boosted, they can either complete the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine within the last six months, or they can complete the primary series of J&J vaccine within the last 2 months.
For 10 days, wear a mask.
Even if you don't have any symptoms, you should be tested five days after exposure. If you develop symptoms, get a test and stay home.
If you are not fully protected.
For those who completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine more than six months ago and are not boosted, there is a chance they are unvaccinated.
Stay home for five days. If possible, test on day five.
Wear a mask around others for five more days.
Wear a mask for 10 days if you can't suck it up.
How to count your time in isolation.
The first day of symptoms is the basis for calculating your 10-day isolation and masking period. The first full day after your symptoms develop is called your day one.
Get increased.
If the news gets you down, remember that vaccines still work against Omicron, but you need to get your booster. Omicron seems to be more transmissible than previous versions, but there is evidence that it might cause less severe disease. Vaccines and previous infections do not protect against Omicron as they did against previous strains. If you haven't already, this is the CDC's guide to getting your booster.
