New Covid CDC Guidelines

On August 11, 2022, the CDC released new guidelines for protection against the Covid-19 virus.

The goal of the new recommendations is to help keep Americans safe while the state of the pandemic evolves. “Today, CDC is streamlining its COVID-19 guidance to help people better understand their risk, how to protect themselves and others, what actions to take if exposed to COVID-19, and what actions to take if they are sick or test positive for the virus,” the agency said.

“This guidance acknowledges that the pandemic is not over, but also helps us move to a point where COVID-19 no longer severely disrupts our daily lives,” added Greta Massetti, chief of CDC’s Field Epidemiology and Prevention Branch.

The updated guidelines are described as the following:

• All eligible people should get both vaccinated and boosted. The CDC states, “In May, unvaccinated people ages 5 and up were six times more likely to die of COVID-19 than their counterparts who were fully vaccinated.” The CDC goes on to say “67.3% of Americans are fully vaccinated. But only 48.3% of those eligible for their first booster shot have received it.”

• Get tested if you have symptoms. The CDC suggests the faster you find you have the infection the faster you can take steps to stop further spread to others. Those who are eligible for Paxlovid should also start taking upon first symptoms. The new guidance also suggests testing after known exposure to the infection although the CDC no longer advises testing in asymptomatic cases.

• If you do contract Covid, the CDC recommends isolating for at least five days as that is the period when you are most likely to spread it to others. The day you experience your first symptoms or test positive (whatever comes first) is day 0. As long as your fever is gone you can stop isolating after day 5 and wear a mask through day 10. For those with more severe covid infections such as hospitalizations or breathing difficulties, it is recommended to isolate for 10 days.

• For those who are immunocompromised the CDC recommends taking Evusheld to provide the body with monoclonal antibodies.

• Quarantining is no longer recommended because so many people have coronavirus antibodies from vaccination, infection, or a combination of both. If you have been exposed, it is suggested that you test five days later. This includes those who were exposed to covid but tested negative.

• Ending test-to-stay programs for exposed students and staff.

• Contact tracing is only recommended in high-risk settings such as healthcare or nursing homes.

• Only mask in areas with high levels of transmission.

“Today, the CDC is streamlining its COVID-19 guidance to help people better understand their risk, how to protect themselves and others, what actions to take if exposed to COVID-19, and what actions to take if they are sick or test positive for the virus,” the agency said.

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Sources
https://www.latimes.com/science/story/2022-08-11/heres-the-cdcs-new-advice-for-protecting-yourself-against-covid-19
https://www.k12dive.com/news/cdc-eases-quarantine-test-to-stay-guidance-for-schools