The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently released new recommendations related to COVID-19 isolation and quarantine guidance. The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has updated state recommendations accordingly.
For the general public, CDC and DOH recommend the following isolation and quarantine practices.
Recommended Isolation Time
The recommended time for isolation has been shortened “from 10 days for people with COVID-19 to five days, if they are asymptomatic on day five, followed by five days of wearing a mask when around others. If symptoms occur, individuals should immediately quarantine until a negative test confirms symptoms are not related to COVID-19.”
Recommended Quarantine Period
For those exposed to COVID-19, the following is recommended:
- For unvaccinated individuals or those that are more than six months from their original mRNA dose or more than two months from their J&J vaccine and not yet boosted, CDC is recommending quarantine for five days followed by strict mask use for another five days.
- Vaccinated individuals who have received their booster do not need to quarantine but should wear a mask for 10 days after exposure.
- If symptoms do occur after exposure, individuals should immediately quarantine until a negative test confirms symptoms are not related to COVID-19.
- When in doubt, get tested on day five, and as always, wear a mask when in public spaces after isolation or quarantine are completed. Also, be mindful of activities, especially those that are indoors or in crowded settings.
Despite revisions to isolation and quarantine recommendations, suggested measures of protection remain the same: get vaccinated, limit travel and exposure to large crowds, get tested if you are experiencing symptoms, and mask up.
For the full DOH news release on this subject, click here. You can also consult this CDC media release for more information.