Updated CDC Guidelines for COVID-19 Isolation as of Mar. 1, 2024

Posted by: Karen Booher on March 11th, 2024

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) has dropped its five-day COVID-19 isolation recommendations under a new guidance, instead suggesting that people return to normal activities if symptoms improve and they are fever-free for at least 24 hours without needing medicines.

The last time the CDC updated their guidelines was December 2021, when they shortened the recommended isolation time for Americans with asymptomatic cases to five days from 10 days.

“CDC is making updates to the recommendations now because the U.S. is seeing far fewer hospitalizations and deaths associated with COVID-19 and because we have more tools than ever to combat flu, COVID and RSV,” the agency said in a statement.

CDC recommended that once people resume normal activities, they should take additional prevention strategies – including keeping distance from others, wearing a well-fitting mask, and enhancing hygiene practices – for the next five days to curb the spread of the disease.

The agency’s recommendations include enhanced precautions to protect those most at risk for severe illness, including those over 65 and people with weakened immune systems.

Source:

ASA Staffing Today, 3/4/2024. “US CDC drops five-day COVID isolation guidelines”, Reuters, March 1, 2024.