CDC makes changes to COVID-19 isolation and quarantine guidance


On Monday, Dec. 27, 2021, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued a press release announcing it was altering its quarantine and isolation recommendations.

  • Quarantine (close contact with COVID-19)
    • The guidance calls for those exposed to COVID-19 who are not up-to-date on their vaccinations or had a COVID-19 case documented by a viral test in the last ninety (90) days to quarantine at home for a minimum of 5 full days and wear a well-fitted mask if you have to be around others in your home. For calculation purposes, the date of exposure is Day 0. Even if you do not develop symptoms, get tested at least five (5) days after you last had close contact. Watch for symptoms for at least 10 days after you last had close contact with someone with COVID-19, and if you develop symptoms, isolate immediately and get tested, continuing to stay home until you know the results. Wear a well-fitted mask for ten (10) full days any time you are around others and do not go to any location where you are unable to wear a mask. Avoid travel and avoid contact with people who are high risk.
    • For individuals who are up-to-date with vaccination or had a case of COVID-19 within the past 90 days confirmed by a viral test, there is no requirement to quarantine, although all other provisions in the above paragraph apply, including testing at least five (5) days after close contact.
  • Isolation (sick or positive test)
    • Isolation applies if you test positive for COVID-19 or develop symptoms, regardless of vaccination status, with Day 0 being your first day with symptoms or the day a test specimen was collected for a positive viral test. Stay at home for a least five (5) days and isolate from others in your home. Wear a well-fitted mask if you have to be around others in your home. If you did NOT have symptoms, isolation may be ended after at least five (5) full days after your positive test. If you had symptoms, isolation must be for a minimum of five (5) days and can end once you are then fever-free for 24 hours, without the use of fever-free medication, AND your symptoms are improving. If you were severely ill with COVID-19, isolate for at least ten (10) days and consult your doctor before ending isolation. Wear a well-fitted mask for ten (10) full days any time you are around others and do not go to any location where you are unable to wear a mask. Avoid travel and avoid contact with people who are high risk.