CDC’s Latest Guidance On Isolation, Quarantine

On Jan. 4, the agency posted the updated coronavirus isolation and quarantine recommendation, along with a rationale for the guidance. It continues to maintain that people without symptoms do not need a negative test result to resume interacting with others.

What did the CDC recommend?

Officials shortened the length of time from 10 days to five days that an individual who has tested positive for the coronavirus but no longer has symptoms should stay home from work or school and generally isolate from others. The agency also shortened the length of time to five days that people exposed to someone with an infection but who have not tested positive themselves need to keep away from others, which is called quarantining. Previously, the recommended length of quarantine had been as long as 14 days. In both situations, the CDC recommends wearing well-fitting masks for an additional five days.

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