Due to new information about the COVID-19 Omicron variant, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently shortened the recommended time for isolation for the public. The CDC amended guidelines are summarized as follows:
If you test positive for COVID-19:
Isolate and regardless of vaccination status:
- Stay home for 5 days.
- If after 5 days, you have no symptoms or they are resolving you can leave house.
- Even with resolving symptoms, wear mask around others.
- If you have a fever, stay home until fever resolves.
If you are exposed to someone with COVID-19:
- If boosted, vaccinated with primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine within past 6 months, or completed primary series of Johnson & Johnson (J & J) within the past two months adhere to the following guidelines:
- Wear a mask around others for 10 days.
- Test on day 5 if possible.
- If you completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna over 6 months ago and are not boosted, or complete the primary series of J & J over two months ago and are not boosted, or are unvaccinated adhere to the following guidelines:
- Stay home and quarantine for 5 days and continue to wear a mask around others an additional 5 days after quarantine.
- If you cannot quarantine, wear a mask for ten days.
- Test on day 5 if possible.
Anyone who develops symptoms associated with COVID-19 (fever, fatigue, headache, sore throat, nausea, diarrhea, cough) should get tested and stay at home until they get a negative test result and/or symptoms resolve.
These recommendations do not supersede state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, nor do they apply to healthcare workers for whom CDC has slightly different updated guidelines. Vaccination is the best way to protect yourself and reduce the impact of COVID-19 in our communities.
