August 16, 2022
On August 11, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released updated and streamlined COVID-19 guidance.
As stated on cdc.gov, new guidance includes that individuals exposed to COVID-19 regardless of vaccination status need not quarantine, but instead, should wear high-quality masks for 10 days and should get tested on the fifth day following their exposure. Additionally, it is no longer recommended that asymptomatic individuals without exposure in most community settings be tested for COVID-19.
Also included in the new guidance is that individuals who test positive for COVID-19 should stay home for at least five days and isolate from others. Regardless of vaccination status, all individuals are recommended to isolate when sick and suspect a COVID-19 infection, but do not have test results.
Greta Massetti, PhD, MPH, CDC Mobility and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) author, was quoted in a CDC press release saying, "We're in a stronger place today as a nation, with more tools-like vaccination, boosters, and treatments-to protect ourselves, and our communities, from severe illness from COVID-19 . . . We also have a better understanding of how to protect people from being exposed to the virus, like wearing high-quality masks, testing, and improved ventilation. This guidance acknowledges that the pandemic is not over, but also helps us move to a point where COVID-19 no longer severely disrupts our daily lives."
Click here to access the CDC press release for more information.
