The CDC recently issued new Isolation and Quarantine Guidance to shorten the isolation and quarantine periods for the general public. On January 4, 2022, the CDC clarified that these recommendations apply to K-12 Schools and on January 6, 2022 released school specific guidance.
CDC Recommended Isolation Period for Those Testing Positive for COVID-19
- Staff or students who test positive for COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, should isolate for 5 days after onset of symptoms, or 5 days from specimen collection date if no symptoms are present.
- Staff or students who test positive for COVID-19 and have no symptoms or their symptoms are resolving can be released from isolation after 5 days.
- To calculate the 5- day isolation period, day 0 is the first day of symptoms or specimen collection date if asymptomatic. If they continue to have fever or other symptoms have not improved after 5 days of isolation, they should wait to end isolation until they are fever-free for 24 hours and their other symptoms have improved.
CDC Recommended Quarantine Period for Close Contacts to Someone with COVID-19
QUARANTINE NOT REQUIRED IF...
- Ages 18 or older and have received all recommended vaccine doses, including boosters and additional primary shots for some immunocompromised people.
- Ages 5-17 years and completed the primary series of COVID-19 vaccines.
- Confirmed COVID-19 within the last 90 days (you tested positive using a viral test)
- ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE IF THIS APPLIES TO YOU...
- Wear a mask around others for 10 days
- Test on day 5, if possible.
- If a person develops symptoms, they should immediately isolate until a negative test confirms symptoms are not caused by COVID-19
QUARANTINE REQUIRED IF...
- Ages 18 or older and completed the primary series of recommended vaccine, but have not received a recommended booster shot when eligible.
- Received the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine (completing the primary series) over 2 months ago and have not received a recommended booster shot.
- Unvaccinated or have not completed a primary vaccine series.
- ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE IF THIS APPLIES TO YOU...
- Stay home and mask around others for 5 days. After that, continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days
- Test on day 5, if possible.
- If a person develops symptoms, they should immediately isolate until a negative test confirms symptoms are not caused by COVID-19.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out to me. I know that we are all over the pandemic. However, thank you for your support during this difficult time!!