The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is considering shortening the isolation period for people testing positive for Covid-19, according to reports. This potential change in guidelines comes amid a surge in cases from the JN.1 variant of the virus and increasing hospitalizations across the United States.
Reportedly, the CDC is looking to reduce the isolation period for those with mild symptoms to just one day without a fever, as opposed to the current recommendation of isolating for five days. This would allow individuals to return to school or work as long as they are fever-free for at least 24 hours. The Biden administration has not yet approved these changes, and the adjusted policy is expected to be made public in April for feedback from the public.
Other states, such as Oregon and California, have already relaxed their isolation policies, allowing asymptomatic infected individuals to return to normal activities without an isolation period. The CDC’s proposed changes were put on hold last fall as Covid-19 cases surged, but discussions on altering the guidelines have been ongoing since August.
Despite the potential policy shift, the CDC emphasized that there are currently no updates to Covid guidelines to announce. The agency stated that decisions will continue to be made based on the best evidence and science in order to ensure the health and safety of communities.
The surge in respiratory virus infections, including Covid-19, during December and January led some hospitals and healthcare facilities to reimpose mask mandates and limited-visitation policies. Furthermore, recent data from the CDC has shown that the most up-to-date Covid-19 vaccines are only 49% effective against the JN.1 variant for those who have received their shots within two to four months.
With the evolving situation surrounding the pandemic and the continuing impact of the JN.1 variant, the potential changes in isolation guidelines demonstrate the ongoing effort to respond effectively to the challenges posed by the virus. As discussions and considerations continue, the CDC remains focused on making decisions that are grounded in scientific evidence to protect the well-being of the public.