On Tuesday December 28, CDC shorted the isolation and quarantine time by introducing new guidelines.
Previously, the Center for Disease Control ask people to quarantine for ten days if they had been tested positive but they have been a change as they stated that now people who have been tested positive should isolate for five days if they don’t have any symptoms.
WHY DID CDC SHORTEN QUARANTINE TIME?
Obviously this is due to a new study that found that transmission usually occurs one or two days before or after the symptoms.
The change is motivated by science demonstrating that the majority of SARS-CoV-2 transmission occurs early in the course of illness, generally in the 1-2 days prior to the onset of symptoms and the 2-3 days after. Therefore, people who test positive should isolate for five days and, if asymptomatic at that time, they may leave isolation if they can continue to mask for five days to minimize the risk of infecting others.
Alternatively, if a five-day quarantine is not feasible, it is imperative that an exposed person wear a well-fitting mask at all times when around others for 10 days after exposure.
The statement reads.
DO THE SAME RULES APPLY TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE RECEIVED BOOSTERS?
Individuals who have received their booster shot do not need to quarantine following an exposure, but should wear a mask for 10 days after the exposure.
For all those exposed, best practice would also include a test for SARS-CoV-2 at day five after exposure. If symptoms occur, individuals should immediately be quarantined until a negative test confirms symptoms are not attributable to COVID-19.
The statement continued.