In early March, the CDC significantly relaxed its isolation guidelines for those testing positive for COVID. According to the new 25 page guidance for COVID and other respiratory viruses (including flu and RSV), a person no longer has to isolate for five days.
CDC now recommends that COVID positive people should stay home while sick, but can return to work when they are feeling better and are fever-free for 24 hours without taking fever-lowering medications. When returning to the office, wear a mask and try to physically distance from others for the five days that follow. These steps are especially important for people who may be around individuals who are at high risk for severe risk of illness, those 65 and older, and those with weak immune systems.
CDC provides additional active recommendations on core prevention steps and strategies to lessen the impact of disease:
- Stay up to date with vaccination to protect people against serious illness, hospitalization, and death. This includes flu, COVID-19, and RSV.
- Practicing good hygiene by covering coughs and sneezes, washing or sanitizing hands often, and cleaning frequently touched surfaces.
- Taking steps for cleaner air, such as bringing in more fresh outside air, purifying indoor air, or gathering outdoors.
Read the entire updated COVID-19 updated guidance from the CRC.