The Centers for Disease Control are now recommending that people who test positive for COVID-19 quarantine for five days, a reduction from their previous 10-day guideline.
The CDC update was issued on Dec. 27. The organization recommends anyone who has tested positive for the virus, regardless of vaccination status, spend five days in quarantine “if they are asymptomatic or their symptoms are resolving” and then wear a mask around others for five more days to minimize the risk of spreading the disease. The time reduction reflects new research on COVID-19 that suggests it is most contagious in the first few days after contraction.
“The change is motivated by science demonstrating that the majority of SARS-CoV-2 transmission occurs early in the course of illness, generally in the 1-2 days prior to onset of symptoms and the 2-3 days after,” reads the Dec. 27 release.
The five-day quarantine and five-day masking period also apply to unvaccinated people who are exposed to COVID-19, while vaccinated people can just wear a mask for the full 10 days.
Taking five days off the quarantine suggestion will make a big difference for public schools because of the potential for exposed or sick students and staff members to return to school buildings twice as fast. Macon County Schools has been closely following the StrongSchools NC Toolkit for its quarantine procedures, and those guidelines were updated before the new year. The Board of Education will not have to take action before the quarantine procedures are amended to coincide with the CDC.
“The updated StrongSchools NC Toolkit outlines the new guidelines for quarantining,” Superintendent Chris Baldwin said. “This does not require board action, so they will go into effect when students return.”
The school board is anticipating a noticeable but acceptable increase in COVID-19 cases when students return from break because of holiday travel. Their hope is that the virus is at a stage where extra transmissions won’t put an outsized burden on classrooms and the reduced quarantine period is a positive sign.
Macon County Public Health Director Kathy McGaha said the school system and her department are following the state’s lead to minimize risk.
“Macon County Public Health and Macon County Schools continue to follow the [StrongSchools NC Toolkit] that includes the most updated CDC guidelines when making decisions regarding COVID-19 and the risks to students and staff,” McGaha said.
Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the CDC, said the updates will allow more Americans to go about their lives safely and conveniently. However, she also urged citizens to remain aware of the threat the virus poses and take all the basic precautionary steps to prevent the spread.
“These updates ensure people can safely continue their daily lives,” Walensky said. “Prevention is our best option: get vaccinated, get boosted, wear a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial and high community transmission and take a test before you gather.”
For more information on new CDC guidelines regarding quarantining for COVID-19, go online to www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s1227-isolation-quarantine-guidance.html.