COVID-19 UPDATE on Isolation and quarantine & Mask Update for 2022
On January 4, CDC updated COVID-19 isolation and quarantine recommendations with shorter isolation (for asymptomatic and mildly ill people) and quarantine periods of 5 days to focus on the period when a person is most infectious, followed by continued masking for an additional 5 days. These updated recommendations also facilitate individual social and well-being needs, return to work, and maintenance of critical infrastructure. Preliminary data suggest that the Omicron variant is up to three times more infectious than the Delta variant. With the recommended shorter isolation and quarantine periods, it is critical that people continue to wear well-fitting masks and take additional precautions for 5 days after leaving isolation or quarantine. In addition, isolation should only end if a person has been fever-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and other symptoms have resolved. Modeling data from the United Kingdom reinforce the importance of mask use; after the 5th day after a positive test, an estimated 31% of persons remain infectious. Mask use and layered prevention strategies, such as receiving all recommended vaccination and booster doses, physical distancing, screening testing, and improved ventilation, are key to preventing COVID-19 and decreasing transmission.
When does the clock start on the 5 days of isolation or quarantine?
Isolation (for those diagnosed or presumed to have COVID-19): If you are asymptomatic (never develop symptoms), day 0 is the day you were tested (not the day you received your positive test result), and day 1 is the first full day following the day you were tested. People who never develop symptoms should isolate for a full 5 days after their first positive SARS-CoV-2 test (i.e., days 0 through 5). Wear a well-fitting mask for 10 days following your positive test result (if asymptomatic) to limit spread when around others at home and in public. If you develop symptoms soon (i.e., within a week) after your positive test result, the clock restarts at day 0 on the day of symptom onset.
If you have mild symptoms, day 0 of isolation is the day of symptom onset, regardless of when you tested positive, and day 1 is the first full day following the day your symptoms started. Persons with mild symptoms should isolate for a full 5 days after symptom onset (i.e., days 0 through 5) and until symptoms have improved. If you continue to have fever or your other symptoms have not improved after 5 days of isolation, you should wait to end your isolation until you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and your other symptoms have improved. Wear a well-fitting mask for 10 days following your onset of symptoms to limit spread to others in the home or other close contacts.
Quarantine: If you have received all vaccine and booster doses recommended by CDC, you do not need to quarantine. You should wear a well-fitting mask around others for 10 days from the date of your last close contact with someone with COVID-19 (the date of last close contact is considered day 0). Get tested at least 5 days after you last had close contact with someone with COVID-19 and follow isolation recommendations if your test result is positive.
For people who have not received all recommended vaccine doses, including a booster dose for people 18 years of age or older, a 5-day quarantine period is recommended. Day 0 starts the day you had close contact with confirmed COVID-19, and day 1 is the first full day following the last close contact. Wear a well-fitting mask for 10 days (i.e., days 0 through 10) after your last close contact, including when around others in public and at home, especially if there are people in your household who are unvaccinated or immunocompromised or at high risk for severe disease. Are there additional precautions people should take at the end of quarantine or isolation?
Yes. After the end of the 5-day quarantine or isolation period, continue to wear a well-fitting mask around others at home and in public for 5 additional days (day 6 through day 10). If you are unable to wear a mask when around others, you should continue to isolate for 10 days. Avoid people who are immunocompromised or at high risk for severe disease, and nursing homes and other high-risk settings, until after at least 10 days. After you end quarantine or isolation, do not travel until 10 days after the start of quarantine or isolation. If you must travel on days 6-10, wear a well-fitting mask when you are around others for the entire duration of travel. If you are unable to wear a mask, you should not travel for a full 10 days. Do not go to places where you are unable to wear a mask, such as restaurants, bars, and some gyms, until 10 days after the start of quarantine or isolation. Avoid being around other people in situations where you cannot use a mask, such as eating at home and at work.
Please make sure to communicate with your Manager or Lead should you experience any symptoms and follow the CDC recommendation to keep yourself and everyone safe. Let the Risk Management Team know if you have any questions or concerns.
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