Recently, the CDC released revised guidelines for COVID-19 in community settings. Although the new guidance is more “relaxed,” this does not mean the pandemic is over. Now that there is more widespread immunity due to vaccination and / or previous episodes of COVID-19, we are seeing the emphasis shift to prevention of severe disease and hospitalization.
Wayne C. Teris, MD, CPE, FAAFP, CCN’s Chief Medical Officer provides a brief and simple overview of the new CDC guidelines.
Highlights are as follows:
- There is still emphasis on the importance of being up to date with vaccination. This means that you have received all doses in the primary series and all boosters recommended for you, when eligible. Vaccine recommendations are based on your age, the vaccine you first received, and time since your last dose.
- Additional information can be found on the CDC website.
- If you are exposed to COVID-19, instead of quarantining, wear a high-quality mask for 10 days and get tested on day 5. If you were tested with an antigen test and the result is negative, the FDA recommends retesting as follows to avoid a false negative test:
- If no symptoms, test again in 48 hours. If still negative, test once more in another 48 hours (total of at least 3 tests).
- If you have symptoms, test again in 48 hours (total of at least 2 tests).
- If any of the tests are positive, you should follow CDC isolation guidelines.
- The FDA website has guidance on COVID-19 testing.
- Regardless of vaccination status, you should isolate from others when you test positive for COVID-19. You should also isolate if you are sick and suspect COVID-19 but are waiting for test results.
- If results are positive, stay home for at least 5 days, and isolate from others. Wear a high-quality mask when you must be around others at home and in public.
- If after 5 days you are fever free for 24 hours (without the use of fever reducing medications) and symptoms are absent or improving, you may end isolation.
- Regardless of when your isolation ends it is highly recommended to avoid being around high-risk people until at least day 11 and wear a high-quality mask through at least day 10 (after your isolation ends).
- If results are negative, you can end your isolation (follow FDA recommendations above if using an antigen test).
- If results are positive, stay home for at least 5 days, and isolate from others. Wear a high-quality mask when you must be around others at home and in public.
You should always discuss with your healthcare provider if you have any questions. These recommendations apply to those with mild illness in community settings. Those who have moderate to severe illness or weakened immune systems should consult their healthcare provider. Also, guidance for healthcare settings, congregate settings, and travel will be updated in the coming weeks and can be found on the CDC Website or your local County Health Department.
Disclaimer: The information presented are purely educational and are not intended to be taken as medical advice. Each one of us is at varying degrees of risk and should consult with their own health care provider to receive appropriate medical advice or recommendations. The information included in this blog post was current as of August 25, 2022.