The CDC has updated their quarantine and isolation guidelines as of December 27, 2021.
Based on the available science, the CDC has shortened the time for both quarantine and isolation. These new CDC guidelines are for individuals in the community, not for health care workers. Please note that the new guidelines for quarantine do not take into account having a previous COVID-19 (SARS-COV 2 virus) infection as a decision point, but use vaccination status to determine what the patient should do.
Below is a summary of the new CDC guidelines:
- The definitions of quarantine and isolation have not changed. Quarantine applies to individuals with close contact with a person with COVID-19 (within six feet of someone for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period). Individuals infected with COVID-19 need to go into isolation. Isolation means staying in a sick room or area in your home away from others, and, if possible, using a separate bathroom.
- For an individual who has been exposed to someone with COVID-19 AND who:
- Has been boosted, OR
- Completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine within the last six months, OR
- Completed the primary series of J&J vaccine within the last two months,
they do not need to quarantine. However, they should wear a mask around others for 10 days and test on day five, if possible. If they become symptomatic, they should isolate and get tested.
- For an individual who has been exposed to someone with COVID-19 AND who:
- Completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine over six months ago and is not boosted, OR
- Completed the primary series of J&J over two months ago and is not boosted, OR
- Is unvaccinated,
they should quarantine for five days. After that, they should continue to wear a mask around others for five additional days. If they cannot quarantine, they must wear a mask for 10 days. They should test on day five, if possible. If they become symptomatic, they should isolate and get tested.
- Isolation for those infected, regardless of vaccination status, should be five days. Day one is the first full day after symptoms develop or the first full day after a positive test. If they have no symptoms or their symptoms are resolving after five days, they can discontinue isolation. They should continue to wear a mask around others for five additional days. If they have a fever, they should continue to isolate until the fever resolves without the use of fever-reducing agents.
For additional details click here for CDC website.