Updated CDC recommendations shorten COVID-19 isolation and quarantine timing

BISMARCK, N.D. – The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced Monday, Dec 27, 2021, updated recommendations for COVID-19 isolation and quarantine.

For those who have a positive COVID-19 test, a shortened isolation time has been recommended.

The isolation period has been reduced from ten days to five days, if the person is asymptomatic, or if symptoms are improving and the individual has been fever-free without medication for 24 hours at day five. This isolation period should be followed by five days of wearing a well-fitting mask while around others.

The updated guidance comes from research that shows most COVID-19 transmission, including the emerging variant known as omicron, occurs early in the illness, typically 1-2 days prior to the onset of symptoms, plus 2-3 days after. The North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) confirmed the detection of the first omicron cases in the state a little over a week ago.

“SARS-CoV-2, the virus that we have come to know as COVID-19 is a novel, or new virus and we have been learning about it in close to real time as scientists and epidemiologists around the world gather data and examine patterns of transmission and trends,” said NDDoH Disease Control and Forensic Pathology Section Chief Kirby Kruger. “As more is understood about the disease, protocols and recommendations are being updated. These recent updates reflect what is known about how the virus spreads and helps us all understand better how we can take protective actions.”