How the New CDC Guidelines for Covid Isolation Could Affect Arizona

• The CDC has new Covid isolation guidelines.
• Immunity and vaccination levels have affected the latest recommendations.
• Who is affected by the new guidelines?

Arizona and the Covid Pandemic

Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, the only constant has been change.

The effort to prevent expanding cases and loss of life led to some drastic measures by governments worldwide, including Arizona. As we come through the other side of the pandemic, recommendations continue to evolve and change for Arizona and the rest of the United States.

Even with new variants making the rounds, the increase in vaccination rates, natural immunity to the virus, and a better understanding of how the virus is transmitted have scientists at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) changing their guidelines on the length of time individuals need to isolate to keep up with the latest information.

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The Newest Covid Isolation Recommendations from the CDC

Until now, the CDC recommended that anyone who tested positive for COVID-19 stay home and isolate for at least five days because that is when individuals are most infectious.

After the five-day isolation period, the best protocol was to wear a high-quality mask around others at home and in public. Even with the end of isolation, the CDC recommended that continued mask-wearing was the best idea for up to ten days, or until you had a negative Covid test.

The CDC Changes COVID Guidelines for Arizona

As COVID-19 has changed, the CDC has again changed its guidelines for COVID-19 isolation. Now, the CDC is recommending:

Anyone who tests positive for the Corona Virus no longer needs to routinely stay home from work and school for five days under new guidance planned by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

According to the new CDC recommendations, anyone experiencing mild and improving symptoms, and has been fever-free for at least 24 hours no longer needs to stay home and isolated.

There is an exception: new recommendations do not apply to hospitals and other healthcare institutions with patients more vulnerable to illness, including COVID-19.

Good News for Arizona

The new guidelines are good news for healthy adults and children across Arizona. Less time off school and work will help keep Arizona from falling behind. This is especially helpful for students who struggled with classwork during the height of the pandemic.