Today, the CDC is reorganizing its COVID-19 guidance to help people better understand their risk, how to protect themselves and others, what actions to take if exposed to COVID-19, and what actions to undertake if they are ill or test positive for the virus. COVID-19 continues to circulate globally, however, with so many tools available to reduce the severity of COVID-19, the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death is significantly lower than earlier in the pandemic.
“We are in a stronger place today as a nation, with more tools — such as vaccination, boosters and treatments — to protect ourselves and our communities from severe disease from COVID-19,” said Greta Massetti, PhD, MPH. Author of MMWR. “We also have a better understanding of how to protect people from exposure to the virus, such as wearing high-quality masks, testing and improved ventilation. This guidance recognizes that the pandemic is not over, but also helps us move to a point where COVID-19 no longer severely disrupts our daily lives.”
In support of this CDC update is:
- Continuing to promote the importance of being up-to-date with vaccination to protect people against serious illness, hospitalization and death. The protection afforded by the current vaccine against infection and symptomatic transmission is less than that against severe disease and diminishes over time, especially against currently circulating variants. For this reason, it is important to stay up to date, especially as new vaccines become available.
- Updating its guidance for people who are not up to date on COVID-19 vaccines on what to do if they are exposed to someone with COVID-19. This is consistent with existing guidance for people who are up to date on vaccines against COVID-19.
- Recommending that instead of quarantining if you have been exposed to COVID-19, you wear a high-quality mask for 10 days and get tested on the 5th day.
- Reiterating that regardless of vaccination status, you should isolate yourself from others when you have COVID-19.
- You should also self-isolate if you are sick and suspect you have COVID-19 but do not yet have test results.
- If your results are positive, follow the CDC’s full isolation recommendations.
- If your results are negative, you can end the isolation.
- You should also self-isolate if you are sick and suspect you have COVID-19 but do not yet have test results.
- Recommending that if you test positive for COVID-19, you stay home for at least 5 days and isolate yourself from others in your home. You are likely to be most contagious during these first 5 days. Wear a high-quality mask when you have to be around others at home and in public.
- If after 5 days you are fever free for 24 hours without using medication and your symptoms are improving, or you have never had symptoms, you can end the isolation after the 5th day.
- Regardless of when you end the isolation, avoid being around people who are most likely to get very sick from COVID-19 until at least the 11th day.
- You should wear a high-quality mask until the 10th day.
- Recommending that if you have had a moderate illness (if you have been short of breath or had difficulty breathing) or serious illness (have been hospitalized) due to COVID-19 or have a weakened immune system, you must self-isolate for the 10th day.
- Recommending you if you have had a serious illness or have a weakened immune system, consult your doctor before ending isolation. Ending isolation without a viral test may not be an option for you. If you are not sure whether your symptoms are moderate or severe or if you have a weakened immune system, talk to a health care provider for further guidance.
- Clarifying that after you complete isolation, if your symptoms of COVID-19 worsen, restart isolation on day 0. Talk to a health care provider if you have questions about your symptoms or when to end isolation.
- Recommending screening testing of asymptomatic people with no known exposures will no longer be recommended in most community settings.
- Emphasizing that physical distance is only one component of how to protect yourself and others. It is important to consider the risk in a given environment, including local community levels of COVID-19 and the important role of ventilation, when assessing the need to maintain physical distance.
Actions to be taken will continue to be informed by the COVID-19 Community Levels launched in February. CDC will continue to focus efforts on preventing serious illnesses and conditions after COVID-19, ensuring that everyone has the information and tools they need to reduce their risk.
This updated guidance is intended to apply to community settings. In the coming weeks CDC will work to harmonize independent guidance documents, such as those for health care settings, high-risk environment hoarding, and travel, with today’s update.
