The guidance follows shortened recommendations for healthcare workers who test positive for the virus, released just before Christmas.
What Is Isolation?
What If You Were Exposed, But Haven’t Tested Positive?
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The CDC has also updated quarantine guidance for those who are exposed to COVID-19 but havent tested positive.
The guidance is different for the vaccinated and the unvaccinated/not yet boosted.
If symptoms occur, individuals should immediately quarantine until a negative test confirms symptoms are not attributable to COVID-19.
Why Is the Guidance Changing?
The Omicron variant is what drove the update.
In recent weeks, COVID-19caseshave increased, with many parts of the country experiencing substantial levels ofcommunity transmission.
CDC director Rochelle Walensky explained the decision to update the guidelines in a statement issued on Monday.
The Omicron variant is spreading quickly and has the potential to impact all facets of our society.
These updates ensure people can safely continue their daily lives.
Still, others say the guidance is realistic based on the current state of the pandemic.
I think the guidance makes sense and is scientifically sound, Adalja told Verywell.
Hopefully, it could be shortened further using rapid tests.
Testing availability should improve soon.
In the case of Sameday Health, this happens several times a day.
If you were exposed to COVID-19 and havent tested positive, things are a little more complicated.
For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit ourcoronavirus news page.
