The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC is reducing the recommended period of isolation for persons with COVID-19 from 10 days to 5 days if they are asymptomatic, followed by 5 days of wearing a mask when they are around others.
The decision was based on scientific evidence showing the majority of SARS-CoV-2 transmission occurs early in the illness, often 1-2 days prior to development of symptoms and 2-3 days afterward.
People who test positive should isolate for 5 days and then leave isolation if they are asymptomatic at that time and can continue to mask for another 5 days to reduce the chance of infecting others.
The CDC is also modifying the recommended quarantine period for persons who have been exposed to COVID-19. The CDC now recommends quarantine for persons who have not been vaccinated or who are more than six months out from their second mRNA vaccine dose (or more than two months after the J&J vaccine) and have not yet been boosted. The CDC now recommends a 5-day quarantine followed by a 5-day period of stringent mask wear.
If a 5-day quarantine is not possible, an exposed individual must wear a well-fitting mask at all times when around others for the next 10 days after exposure.
Individuals who have had their booster shot do not need to be quarantined after an exposure, but they should wear a mask for the next 10 days. A test for SARS-CoV-2 would be recommended for all persons who have been exposed on day 5 after exposure.
Individuals should be quarantined as soon as symptoms appear until a negative test proves the symptoms are not caused by COVID-19.
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