CDC Shortens Isolation, Quarantine Time: What It Means In GA

Atlanta GA

29 December, 2021

11:01 AM

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ATLANTA, GA — U.S. health officials have shortened quarantine restrictions for Americans who catch the coronavirus from 10 to five days and cut the time that close contacts need to quarantine. "The omicron variant is spreading quickly and has the potential to impact all facets of our society. CDC's updated recommendations for isolation and quarantine balance what we know about the spread of the virus and the protection provided by vaccination and booster doses," said CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky on Monday. As of Monday, Dec. 27, isolation time went from 10 days for people with COVID-19 to five days, if asymptomatic, followed by five days of wearing a mask when around others. "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 onset of symptoms and the 2-3 days after," according to the CDC. The changes were announced a day before the United States recorded its highest one-day total of new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, with 441,278 infections, surpassing the previous daily record by close to 150,000. CDC officials said that record-setting count might be deceptive and could have been caused by a lag in case counts due to the Christmas holiday, Politico reported. On Wednesday, the Georgia Department of Health reported 8,315 cases of COVID-19, with 37 deaths in the past day and 396 people in hospitals for the respiratory disease. Coronavirus cases are on the upswing in Georgia and nationwide a month after the new, more-contagious strain of the coronavirus, the omicron variant, arrived. State officials are urging the public to get vaccinated and encouraging those 16 and older who have been vaccinated for more than six months to get a booster. In Atlanta, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has already reinstated the masking mandate for all public indoor locations within city limits. Testing continues to be available across Georgia, and state officials say that getting tested for COVID-19 is the first line of defense. To find a COVID-19 vaccine or COVID-19 testing location near you, log on to dph.ga.gov. The recent surge in cases has spurred concerns about staffing shortages at hospitals, airlines and businesses across the country. Research has suggested omicron, while more infectious, causes milder illness. Additionally, the CDC updated the recommended quarantine period for those exposed to COVID-19 but it varied based on vaccination status. For people who are unvaccinated or are more than six months out from their second dose (or more than two months after the J&J vaccine) and not yet boosted, the CDC now recommends quarantine for five days, followed by strict mask use for an additional five days. 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. Those 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. "These updates ensure people can safely continue their daily lives. Prevention is our best option: get vaccinated, get boosted, wear a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial and high community transmission, and take a test before you gather," said Walensky. If You Test Positive for COVID-19 (Isolate)Everyone, regardless of vaccination status. Stay home for 5 days.If you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving after 5 days, you can leave your house.Continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days. If you have a fever, continue to stay home until your fever resolves. If You Were Exposed to Someone with COVID-19 (Quarantine)If you: Have been boosted OR Completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine within the last 6 months OR Completed the primary series of J&J vaccine within the last 2 months: Wear a mask around others for 10 days.Test on day 5, if possible. If you develop symptoms get a test and stay home.If you: Completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine over 6 months ago and are not boosted OR Completed the primary series of J&J over 2 months ago and are not boostedOR Are unvaccinated: Stay home for 5 days. After that continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.If you can't quarantine you must wear a mask for 10 days.Test on day 5 if possible. If you develop symptoms get a test and stay home In other countries, ten days of quarantining for someone who tests positive for COVID-19 remains the guidance in Canada, Europe and the United Kingdom. "Given what we currently know about COVID-19 and the Omicron variant, CDC is shortening the recommended time for isolation from 10 days for people with COVID-19 to 5 days, if asymptomatic, followed by 5 days of wearing a mask when around others," the CDC said.