The CDC has recommended a quarantine period of five days for COVID-19 instead of ten days. When gathering information about the coronavirus Omicron strain, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has discovered that transmission happens mainly during the early phase of experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. So, the US CDC is suggesting not only a five-day quarantine for any person with a COVID-19 infection but also a face mask for five more days when around others.
The CDC’s recommendation applies to any person with the infection, including one who is fully vaccinated. The person can safely come out of quarantine when they have no symptoms and do not have a minimal chance of transmitting coronavirus.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has made a public statement explaining the rationale for the recommendation, considering what we understand about the Omicron strain. There is scientific evidence that most severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 transmission happens at an early stage, usually one to two days before the arrival of symptoms or two to three days later. The above-mentioned piece of information is the motivation for the CDC recommendation.
There is a comparable recommendation for anyone with vaccination only six months before or with no vaccination who has seen and/or communicated directly with a potentially infected person. The CDC recommends five-day isolation from others and masking for five more days for those kinds of people.
The CDC does not recommend quarantine for individuals with either full vaccination or booster vaccination who have no COVID-19 symptoms if they are exposed to coronavirus disease. However, the CDC recommends not only a face mask when around other people for ten days but also COVID-19 testing five days following the exposure or if there are symptoms in that period.
CDC Director Rochelle Walensky stated that the Omicron strain spreads fast and could affect every facet of society. The updated quarantine-related suggestions of the CDC balance what it knows about coronavirus transmission and the extra protection that vaccines and boosters provide against the disease. Walensky also suggested that the updates help to ensure the safety of people in continuing their daily lives. It seems that Walensky regards prevention as the best way of ensuring people’s safety. By prevention, Walensky referred to the importance of the following.
- Getting standard coronavirus vaccination and the booster
- Wearing a face mask when in a public indoor area with high and substantial community transmission
- Undergoing a coronavirus-specific test before coming into contact with the public
