Shorter Times for COVID Isolation in U.S.

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (CDC) announced revised isolation policies for COVID-19 effective December 28, 2021. This is their response to emerging confirmation that the Omicron variant typically transmits in the first few days. These shorter times for COVID isolation in U.S. are a great relief. However, they do assume we have strong vaccine protection.

What Shorter Times for COVID Isolation in U.S. Mean in Practice

1… The recommended 10 days isolation after testing positive for COVID-19 WITHOUT SYMPTOMS reduces to 5 days.

2… People whose symptoms are improving also qualify for the concession. However, those with fever temperature do not qualify

3… But, these concessions require wearing a mask when around others for a further five days as an added precaution.

Science, Not Politics or Opinion Drives These Changes

‘The change is motivated by science demonstrating that the majority of SARS-CoV-2 transmission occurs early in the course of illness,’ CDC confirms. ‘This is 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 five days’ the agency told CNN. ‘And, if asymptomatic at that time they may leave isolation. However, this is on condition they continue to mask for five days to minimize the risk of infecting others.’

But This Assumes Adequate Vaccine Protection

Quarantine is a medical term for isolating from other people, after we are exposed to a disease. However, if we test positive or show symptoms then we need to isolate. The CDC concessions assume adequate vaccine protection. If this is not the case, then as mentioned these shorter times for COVID isolation in U.S. do not apply.

1… Those more than 6 months after their second mRNA dose, and NOT BOOSTED must quarantine for 5 days followed by 5 days ‘strict mask use’.

2… Those more than 2 months after their J&J dose, and NOT BOOSTED must quarantine for 5 days followed by 5 days ‘strict mask use’.

3… Those not vaccinated at all do not qualify for any of the concessions under this revised CDC policy.