The Centers For Disease Control streamlines COVID-19 guidance to help people protect themselves and others
AGN.News Team
August 11, 2022
ATLANTA (AGN.News) – The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) streamlines its COVID-19 guidance to help people protect themselves and others.
CDC updates what actions to take if you’re exposed to COVID-19, and what actions you should take if you are sick or test positive for the virus.
CDC: “COVID-19 continues to circulate globally, however, with so many tools available to us for reducing COVID-19 severity, there is significantly less risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death compared to earlier in the pandemic.”
To help us understand the value of this updated guidance, the CDC says, “We’re in a stronger place today as a nation, with more tools—like vaccination, boosters, and treatments—to protect ourselves, and our communities, from severe illness from COVID-19,” said Dr. Greta Massetti, PhD, MPH.
Greta Massetti, PhD, MPH. who was also an author of the initial guidance, added: “We also have a better understanding of how to protect people from being exposed to the virus, like wearing high-quality masks, testing, and improved ventilation. 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.”
What are some new changes?
The CDC, the country’s top public health agency has relaxed its COVID-19 guidelines, dropping the recommendation that Americans quarantine themselves if they come into contact with an infected person.
The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention also said people no longer need to stay at least 6 feet away from others.
Why the new COVID-19 changes?
After two and a half years since the start of the pandemic, CDC officials have come to recognize that an estimated 95% of Americans 16 and older have acquired some level of immunity, either from being vaccinated or infected.
What about vaccinations?
CDC continues to promote the importance of being up to date with vaccination to protect people against serious illness, hospitalization, and death.
CDC: “Protection provided by the current vaccine against symptomatic infection and transmission is less than that against severe disease and diminishes over time, especially against the currently circulating variants. For this reason, it is important to stay up to date, especially as new vaccines become available.”
What about quarantining?
The CDC guidance is recommending that instead of quarantining if you were exposed to COVID-19, you wear a high-quality mask for 10 days and get tested on day 5.
CDC is reiterating that regardless of vaccination status, you should isolate from others when you have COVID-19. You should also isolate if you are sick and suspect that you have COVID-19 but do not yet have test results.
If your results are positive, follow CDC’s full isolation recommendations. If your results are negative, you can end your isolation.
What if I test positive?
CDC is recommending that if you test positive for COVID-19, you stay home for at least 5 days and isolate from others in your home. You are likely most infectious during these first 5 days. Wear a high-quality mask when you must be around others at home and in public.
If after 5 days you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medication, and your symptoms are improving, or you never had symptoms, you may end isolation after day 5.
When should I avoid people?
Regardless of when you end isolation, avoid being around people who are more likely to get very sick from COVID-19 until at least day 11. You should wear a high-quality mask through day 10.
If, after you have ended isolation, or if your COVID-19 symptoms worsen, restart your isolation at day 0. Talk to a healthcare provider if you have questions about your symptoms or when to end isolation.
When is physical distance needed?
The CDC continues to emphasize that physical distance is just one component of how to protect yourself and others. It is important to consider the risk in a particular setting, including local COVID-19 Community Levels and the important role of ventilation, when assessing the need to maintain physical distance.
CDC: “This updated guidance is intended to apply to community settings. In the coming weeks CDC will work to align stand-alone guidance documents, such as those for healthcare settings, congregate settings at higher risk of transmission, and travel, with today’s update.”
Always consult your local healthcare provider if you have additional questions or if you are in need of a more specific recommendation to mitigate COVID-19.
COVID-19 PREVENTION
STOP THE SPREAD! GET VACCINATED!
VACCINES ARE AVAILABLE FOR FREE!
Everyone is being urged by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC.gov) to get vaccinated, wear masks, practice social distancing, and wash hands as a way to cut down on the transmission rate.
For more information on local responses to the novel coronavirus also called … COVID-19, contact your local healthcare provider, visit coronavirus.gov or visit cdc.gov for the United States response to the coronavirus.
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AGN.News Team
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