EEH: Clearing up confusion about COVID-19 quarantine/isolation

In January 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its COVID-19 isolation and quarantine recommendations. Isolation applies to those infected with COVID-19 and quarantine applies to those exposed to COVID-19.

Note: The risk of developing infection is much higher if you are not up to date with all COVID-19 vaccines (have not received a booster, if eligible) and even higher if you are unvaccinated.

Isolation recommendations if infected with COVID-19

Isolation means separating from others when infected, when someone has symptoms or when someone tests positive for COVID-19. In its updated recommendations, the CDC has split the previous 10-day isolation period into two parts:

• Days 0-5: Stay at home for 5 full days and isolate from others. Wear a mask around others at home. If no symptoms develop, end home isolation at day 5 and continue to mask around others until 10 days after positive test. If someone is asymptomatic or have mild/resolving symptoms and a negative rapid antigen test on day 5, they can leave home and wear a mask around others for days 6-10. If the test is positive, isolate for the full 10 days. If a fever or ongoing symptoms are present on day 5, continue the isolation for the full 10 days.
• Days 6-10: If someone is asymptomatic or has mild/resolving symptoms, they can leave home for essential activities, but continue to always wear a mask around others. Don’t travel, especially longer trips where it is not possible to always wear a mask. Avoid social gatherings and non-essential activities. Scientists have found that, for mild infections, people are most contagious the day before symptoms begin and during the first 5 days after onset of symptoms. In people with mild infections, contagiousness lasts no longer than 10 days, so the extra precautions can end 10 days after symptoms began or, if symptoms never develop, 10 days after testing positive.

COVID-19 quarantine recommendations if exposed

Quarantine means separating from others when someone is exposed to COVID-19 (by being a “close contact” to someone who tested positive) but have no symptoms and have not tested positive for COVID-19.

A close contact refers to being within 6 feet of someone, for more than 15 minutes, who tested positive for COVID-19 and is contagious.

If someone was exposed to COVID-19 and is not up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations (not vaccinated or vaccinated but have not had a booster, if eligible):

• Stay home for at least 5 full days, from the day of exposure.
• Wear a well-fitted mask around others at home.
• Get tested, even if symptoms don’t develop, at least 5 days after the close contact with someone with COVID-19.

If someone was exposed to COVID-19 and is up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations (vaccinated and received booster, if eligible):

• No quarantine is required unless symptoms develop.
• Get tested, even if symptoms do not appear, at least 5 days after the close contact with someone with COVID-19.

Whether or not someone is up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, everyone should watch for symptoms after exposure for 10 days after the last contact and wear a mask around others. If symptoms appear, isolate immediately, get tested and stay home until the test results are available.

Get more information at EEHealth.org/services/coronavirus.