CDC updates COVID-19 guidance

Editor's Note

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on August 11 updated its guidelines for COVID-19. The new recommendations focus on helping people better understand their risks, how to protect themselves and others, what actions to take if exposed, and what actions to take if they test positive and are sick, the CDC says.

Among the recommendations:

• Those exposed to someone with COVID-19 no longer need to quarantine, regardless of vaccination status. However, they should isolate from others and wear a high-quality mask for 10 days and get tested on day 5.
• Physical distancing of 6 feet is no longer a specific recommendation. Instead, the CDC says physical distancing is just one component of protection, and individuals should also consider the risk of a particular setting, community levels of COVID-19, and ventilation.
• Routine screening of asymptomatic people is no longer recommended in most settings, except for healthcare settings.
• Those testing positive for COVID-19 should stay home for at least 5 days; isolation may be ended after 5 days if fever-free for 24 hours without medication, but a mask should be worn through day 10.

In the coming weeks, the CDC will work on aligning stand-alone guidance documents, such as those for healthcare settings.