CLEVELAND — On Monday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released cut isolation times for asymptomatic Americans with COVID-19, based on evidence that infected people are most contagious in the two days before, and three days after, symptoms develop.
But the new information has some people confused on when it's safe to leave the house. So, we went to Cleveland Clinic infectious disease physician, Dr. Kristin Englund, for some answers.
If you test positive, how long do you isolate?
"If you test positive and you're asymptomatic, or if your symptoms are improving at five days, you can come out of isolation, but you still need to wear a mask for five days. Now that changes if you're still having a fever. (The CDC) does not want you to come out of isolation until your fever is complete gone."
If you've been exposed to the virus, do you have to quarantine if you're vaccinated or boosted? (Answers courtesy: CDC.Gov)
If you have been boosted, or completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine within the last 6 months, or completed the primary series of J&J vaccine within the last 2 months, then you don't need to quarantine.
However, you should wear a mask around others for 10 days and test on day 5 if possible. And, if you develop symptoms, stay home.
Are the quarantine rules different for those who are unvaccinated?
If you are unvaccinated, or have completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine over 6 months ago and are not boosted, you should stay home for five days, then continue to wear a mask around others for another five days. If you can't quarantine, you must wear a mask for 10 days. And, test on day 5 if possible.
And, of course, if you develop symptoms, get a test and stay home.
Dr. Englund, the new guidelines are tricky since it somewhat lumps in the unvaccinated with the vaccinated. And, the best way to combat the virus, remains the same:
"We certainly think that there's much more of a risk for those who are unvaccinated to shed longer and to get hospitalized."