Health experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, for its acronym in English) of the United States have cut this Monday the isolation period for those infected with coronavirus from 10 to five days when they do not present symptoms. The argument for updating the guide – which offers guidelines, not mandates – has been evidence that COVID-19 patients are most contagious two days before and three days after developing symptoms. The CDC’s decision comes as the country goes through a new wave of cases driven by the omicron variant, which is highly contagious but, according to preliminary data, causes milder illnesses than previous ones.
The recommendations are the same for unvaccinated people, those partially vaccinated, and those with the full regimen. Five days after testing positive, if the person has no symptoms, they can resume their activities, but must wear a mask in all settings for at least five more days. If you have symptoms, you should wait at home until you feel fine.
Close contacts who did not become infected and who have the booster dose can skip the quarantine, but must wear a mask in all settings for at least 10 days. Those who have not received the third injection must quarantine for five days, as well as those who are partially vaccinated or those who have not been inoculated.
The high transmission rate of the omicron variant, responsible for 70% of new cases, has caused a labor shortage that has affected industries such as airlines, which have been forced to cancel thousands of flights. CDC Director Rochelle Walensky has warned that the United States is on the verge of seeing a wave of new cases. “Not all of these cases are going to be serious. In fact, many will be asymptomatic, “he explained to The Associated Press. Only 62% of Americans are fully vaccinated.
“The omicron variant is spreading rapidly and has the potential to affect all facets of our society,” said Walensky, continuing, “these updates ensure that people can continue their daily lives safely.”
Last Friday, before the holidays, the national average of new daily cases in the last seven days exceeded 197,000 in the United States, an increase of 65% in the last two weeks. Deaths rose 3% over the same time period, to a seven-day average of 1,345, and hospitalizations 8%, according to tracking The New York Times. States like Delaware, Massachusetts, and New York have seen more cases in the past week than in any seven-day period since the pandemic began.
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