CDC Updates Isolation and Quarantine Guidance for COVID-19

By Press release submission

Jan 5, 2022

Chatham County recently issued the following announcement.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated isolation guidance for those infected with COVID-19 and quarantine guidance for those exposed to COVID-19. The Chatham County Public Health Department, in line with the NC Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), is adopting the updated recommendations from the CDC effective December 28, 2021.

Updated Isolation & Quarantine Periods

The CDC has updated and shortened the recommended isolation and quarantine periods for COVID-19 in the general population to 5 days. Those currently in isolation or quarantine should adhere to the new guidance for length of quarantine, isolation and mask-wearing periods. Full guidance can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s1227-isolation-quarantine-guidance.html.

The updated guidance included the following key points:

Those diagnosed with COVID-19 may leave isolation after five days only if they have no fever and other symptoms have improved.
It is important to continue wearing a well-fitting mask for the five days after the isolation or quarantine period ends.
Vaccination and booster shots are especially important as cases of COVID-19, driven by the Omicron variant, are rising sharply in Chatham County and around the country. For a list of options to get vaccinated, visit www.vaccines.gov.
Note the quarantine guidance differs based on whether someone exposed to COVID-19 is up to date on their vaccination, including the booster shot.
Those who have either gotten their booster, have completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna (two doses) within the last six months, or have completed the primary series of J&J vaccine (one dose) within the last two months are not required to stay home for five days (quarantine) if they are exposed to COVID-19 but should wear a mask for ten days.
Those who have completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna (two doses) over six months ago and have not gotten their booster, or who completed the primary series of the J&J vaccine (one dose) over two months ago and are not boosted, or who are unvaccinated must quarantine for five days, monitor for symptoms, and wear a mask around others for the next five days.

Original source can be found here.