CDC. Considers ending 5-day Covid isolation period

Americans can be informed that it is safe to return to a normal routine after a fever-free day.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is considering relaxing its recommendations regarding how long people should self-isolate after testing positive for the coronavirus, another reflection of changing attitudes and norms to as the pandemic recedes.

Under the proposed guidelines, Americans would no longer be advised to self-isolate for five days before returning to work or 'school. Instead, they could return to their usual routine if they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without medication, the same standard applying to influenza and respiratory syncytial viruses.

The proposal would align guidance from the C.D.C. on revised isolation recommendations in Oregon and California. The change was reported earlier by the Washington Post, but is still under consideration, according to two people familiar with the discussions.

The C.D.C. The last time it changed its isolation policy was in late 2021, when it reduced the recommended period from 10 to five days. If adopted, the new approach would signal that Covid has taken its place alongside other common respiratory infections.

But focusing on the isolation policy for Covid, for example, is wasting the agency's opportunity to promote better public health policies, several experts said.

“From a long-term public health perspective , I think it sets an unfortunate precedent,” said Dr. Syra Madad, senior director of the Special Pathogens Program at NYC Health and Hospitals.

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