iOn December 2nd, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its guidance on the length of quarantine required for an individual who is asymptomatic but was in close contact with someone with COVID-19. The prior guidance required quarantine for 14 days (other than for critical infrastructure workers). The new guidance allows for quarantine to end 10 days after exposure or 7 days after exposure when combined with a negative test. The test can be taken within 48 hours of the end of the quarantine period, i.e. as early as day 5. The key factor is that the individual remains asymptomatic during the entire quarantine period.
This updated guidance is outlined in the chart below which addresses return to work scenarios under the current CDC guidance.
|
SITUATION |
CDC GUIDANCE ON RETURN TO WORK |
CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE |
|
Positive test and symptoms |
Symptom Based:
Test Based: If recommended by healthcare provider, 2 negative tests in a row taken at least 24 hours apart. Sources: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/disposition-in-home-patients.html https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/end-home-isolation.html https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/isolation.html |
No change |
|
No test or negative test and symptoms |
Symptom Based:
Test Based: If recommended by healthcare provider, 2 negative tests in a row taken at least 24 hours apart. Sources: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/end-home-isolation.html https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/isolation.html |
No change |
|
Positive test without symptoms |
Time Based: 10 days since positive test Test Based: If recommended by healthcare provider, 2 negative tests in a row taken at least 24 hours apart. Sources: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/disposition-in-home-patients.html https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/isolation.html |
No change |
|
Exposed with symptoms |
Symptom Based:
Test Based: If recommended by healthcare provider, 2 negative tests in a row taken at least 24 hours apart. Sources: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/end-home-isolation.html https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/isolation.html |
No change |
|
Exposed without symptoms |
If in “close contact” with someone who has tested positive (defined as within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes over a 24 period starting from 2 days before illness onset or positive test), 10 days after exposure or 7 days after exposure if negative test is obtained (test can be taken within 48 hours of planned end of quarantine). But no isolation needed if prior positive diagnosis within last 3 months and no ongoing symptoms. Sources: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/disposition-in-home-patients.html https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/more/scientific-brief-options-to-reduce-quarantine.html |
Can continue to work as long as they remain asymptomatic and additional precautions are taken (e.g., mask for 14 days and social distancing) |
