Still trying to get around the latest COVID guidelines?
In short, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has streamlined a new set of recommendations for quarantine, social distancing and even testing geared toward tackling the evolving pandemic.
The changes, which come more than two and a half years after the pandemic began, are prompted by the realization that an estimated 95% of Americans age 16 and older have acquired some level of immunity, either from vaccination or infection, according to agency officials. He said.
“We are in a stronger place today as a country, with more tools — such as vaccinations, boosters, and treatments — to protect ourselves, and our communities, from severe disease from COVID-19,” the guidelines, in a statement. “We also have a better understanding of how to protect people from exposure to the virus, such as by wearing high-quality masks, testing, and improving ventilation. These guidelines acknowledge that the pandemic is not over yet, but it is also helping us move to a point where COVID-19 is no longer severely disrupting our daily lives.” .
Here is a summary of some of the changes the CDC made:
1. Quarantine
The CDC previously said that if people who have not been aware of their COVID-19 vaccines have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive, they should stay home for at least five days. Now the agency says home quarantine is not necessary, but it is urging those people to wear a high-quality mask for 10 days and get tested after five days.
2. Solitude
The agency continues to say that people who test positive should isolate from others for at least five days, regardless of whether or not they have been vaccinated. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officials advise that people can end isolation if they have been fever-free for 24 hours without medication and have no symptoms or symptoms improve.
Those who feel sick should also be isolated until they get test results, according to the guidelines.
But symptoms also play a role in the timelines of isolation. The guidelines state the following:
- If you have mild illness (If you have shortness of breath or difficulty breathing) or severe illness (You have been hospitalized) Because of COVID-19 or you have a weak immune system, you need to isolate during the 10th day.
- If you have severe illness Or you have a weak immune system, consult your doctor before ending isolation. Ending isolation without a viral test may not be an option for you. If you are not sure if your symptoms are moderate or severe or if you have a weakened immune system, talk to your health care provider for further guidance.
Also if you leave isolation but your symptoms worsen, you must re-isolate for another 10 days.
- After you finish isolation, if your COVID-19 symptoms worsen, re-isolate on Day 0. Talk to your health care provider if you have questions about your symptoms or when the isolation ends.
3. Test
The new guidelines also include information about testing people who are asymptomatic and who have developed severe symptoms.
- The recommendation to screen asymptomatic people without known exposure is no longer recommended in most community settings.
- If you have severe illness Or you have a weak immune system, consult your doctor before ending isolation. Ending isolation without a viral test may not be an option for you. If you are not sure if your symptoms are moderate or severe or if you have a weakened immune system, talk to your health care provider for further guidance.
Also on Thursday, the Food and Drug Administration Update its recommendations How often should people who have been exposed to COVID-19 be tested?
Previously, the Food and Drug Administration advised two rapid antigen tests over two or three days to rule out infection. Now the agency recommends three tests.
4. Social distancing
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also said that people no longer need to stay at least 6 feet away from others in some situations.
The guidelines emphasize that “physical distance is just one component of how to protect yourself and others.”
“It is important to consider risks in a particular setting, including community levels of COVID-19 and the important role of ventilation, when assessing the need to maintain physical distance,” the CDC stated.