The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reportedly eyeing a change to its isolation guidance for people who get COVID-19.
In the spring, agency officials are expected to say people can stop isolating themselves if they have been fever-free for 24 hours and their symptoms are mild or getting better, according to The Washington Post, which cited agency officials who briefed state counterparts on the expected change.
As it stands, the CDC recommends that people stay away from others for at least five days if they test positive for the virus — or 10 days in cases of moderate or severe illness.
The updated guidance would bring COVID-19 in line with respiratory diseases, such as the flu, and reflects changing attitudes toward the coronavirus threat now that many people have built up immunity from prior infection or vaccination.
California and Oregon recently broke with federal guidance to say people with COVID-19 could return to work or school once their symptoms improved and they were fever-free for 24 hours. The states said people without symptoms wouldn’t have to be isolated at all.
For more information, visit The Washington Times COVID-19 resource page.