The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is set to revise its COVID-19 isolation guidance, moving away from the current five-day rule and instead basing the duration of isolation solely on symptoms, according to a report by The Washington Post. The change is expected to be released in April and would be the first update since the end of 2021.
The current CDC guidelines state that individuals who test positive for COVID-19 should stay home for at least five days. After this period, they can end their isolation as long as their symptoms are improving and they have been fever-free for 24 hours. However, the new guidance will remove the minimum five-day requirement and instead recommend that individuals can end their isolation once they have been fever-free for 24 hours without the aid of medication, as long as any remaining symptoms are mild and improving.
While the CDC has not officially confirmed or denied the report, a spokesperson stated that there are no updates to COVID guidelines to announce at this time. The proposed update aligns with revised guidance from California and Oregon, as well as other countries.
Unnamed officials who spoke with The Washington Post explained that the loosened guidelines reflect the fact that a majority of people in the US have developed some level of immunity to the virus through prior infections and vaccinations. However, it is worth noting that only about 22 percent of adults have received the updated COVID-19 vaccine.
The effectiveness of the 2023–2024 COVID-19 vaccine was reported to be around 54 percent in preventing symptomatic cases compared to those who had not received the latest vaccine. Despite this, the CDC estimates that a relatively low percentage of adults have received the updated shot.
Currently, the CDC recommends wearing a mask for 10 days after testing positive for COVID-19 unless two negative tests are obtained 48 hours apart. It remains unclear whether the CDC will update its mask recommendation alongside the revised isolation guidance.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, the CDC aims to make decisions based on the best evidence and science available in order to keep communities healthy and safe. The upcoming update to the isolation guidance reflects the changing landscape of the pandemic and acknowledges the increasing levels of immunity within the population. However, it is important for individuals to stay informed about the latest guidelines and continue practicing preventive measures to protect themselves and others.
