CDC cuts down isolation period amidst latest surge with Omicron variant

New York: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has reportedly decided to shorten the isolation period of Covid-19 patients.

According to reports, the CDC has recommended that people who are asymptomatic coronavirus infections, can isolate for 5 days instead of 10 based on research focused on when people are most infectious.

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The updated guidelines by the CDC have coincided with the latest wave of a surge in coronavirus cases due to the omicron variant which has resulted in soaring numbers of reported infections across the United States. According to the Washington Post, airlines and other officials have reached out to the CDC to limit the recommended quarantine and isolation period. They have argued that isolating for a minimum of 10 days is resulting in a shortage and/or cancelation of flights due to the compulsion of flight crew isolating in the wake of testing positive for Covid-19.

According to reports, given the nature of the omicron variant and the recent surge in cases, the airline officials have expressed concern that it is nearly impossible to keep operating while ensuring the official guidelines.

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In the latest guidelines issued by the CDC, asymptomatic people have been urged to isolate for five days and to continue wearing masks in the presence of others for 5 days, making it a total of 10 days of protection. Meanwhile, people who have already received the booster shot of their vaccine need only wear a mask and not quarantine.

Rochelle Walensky, Director of CDC, issued a statement that the update is focused on ensuring that the people “can safely continue their daily lives”. Walensky added that since the omicron variant is highly contagious, it is spreading quickly impacting the lives and “all facets” of society.

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According to reports, the updated guidelines aim to create a balance between active protection and curbing the spread of the virus, respectively. The decision according to CDC is based on research that shows that “most transmission occurs early in the course of a person’s illness”. Thereby, health officials have recommended an isolation period of five days.

Although the decision has been lauded by the business community, there is a faction of health officials who feel the latest development is “reckless”, arguing that a negative test report should be made mandatory before ending the quarantine period, after five days.

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