The shift was motivated by studies showing COVID is mostly infectious in the first two days before symptoms appear and up to three days afterwards.
People who have COVID should isolate for five days if they aren’t experiencing symptoms, US health officials said, cutting the previously recommended period in half.
The shorter isolation and quarantine periods will allow people to return to work or school sooner than previously permitted. The US health protection agency said in its statement that the shift in guidance was motivated by science showing the majority of coronavirus transmission occurred early during the illness, in the first day or two before the onset of symptoms and the two to three days that follow.The centre also updated its recommended quarantine period for people who have been exposed to COVID.
US President Joe Biden has promised to increase the number of COVID tests available as wait times blow out ahead of New Year travel.The new guidance could entice more Americans to seek another dose of a vaccine. Just under one-third of fully vaccinated Americans have received a booster. The number of hospitalised COVID patients has risen 3 per cent over the same period. Overall in December, the average number of new cases has risen 143 per cent and hospitalisations climbed 31 per cent.
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