HOUGHTON — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shortened the recommended isolation and quarantine periods for asymptomatic individuals who either test positive for, or are exposed to, COVID-19.

Instead of self-isolating for 10 days, the CDC now recommends that people who test positive but remain asymptomatic should self-isolate for five days, and then wear a mask while around others for an additional five days.

The CDC also updated its recommended quarantine period for those who are exposed to COVID-19 (but are not necessarily infected with the virus).

Unvaccinated individuals, or those who received their second mRNA vaccine dose more than six months ago (or more than two months for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine) and have not yet received a booster, should quarantine for five days after exposure and wear a mask while in public for another five.

Under the new guidelines, if the five day quarantine is not feasible, the exposed individual should wear a well-fitting mask for 10 days after exposure. Those who have received a booster do not need to quarantine after exposure, but should wear a mask for 10 days.

The CDC also advises that anyone who is exposed to the virus take a COVID-19 test five days after exposure. If symptoms do occur, individuals should quarantine until they produce a negative test.

A CDC press release announced these new guidelines on Monday, and stated that the changes are informed by scientific research that has demonstrated that the majority of SARS-CoV-2 transmission occurs early in the illness – one to two days before the onset of symptoms and two to three days after they begin.

A statement from CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky was also included in the press release:

“The Omicron variant is spreading quickly and has the potential to impact all facets of our society. CDC’s updated recommendations for isolation and quarantine balance what we know about the spread of the virus and the protection provided by vaccination and booster doses. These updates ensure people can safely continue their daily lives. 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.”

The CDC’s new guidelines come as case numbers surge across the United States. According to a New York Times database, daily U.S. cases reached a record high this week, with the seven-day average of new daily cases surpassing 267,000 on Tuesday.

Driven by the combined forces of the Delta and Omicron variants, these high case numbers are taxing the health care system and exacerbating labor shortages in industries including food service, retail, and travel. Over the past week, thousands of flights were canceled due to airline staffing shortages.

The CDC’s modified guidelines may help ease this problem by allowing employees to re-enter the workforce more quickly after being exposed to the virus or testing positive.

While the CDC makes it clear that its new recommendations are based on science, the move has drawn criticism from some scientists and public health experts who worry that shorter isolation and quarantine periods could lead to an increase in viral transmission and accelerate the spread of COVID-19.

Some questioned the CDC’s decision not to recommend that individuals take rapid tests before ending self-isolation. Rapid tests can help confirm that an individual cannot transmit the virus to others before they return to work and resume normal life.

However, rapid tests remain in short supply due to a combination of manufacturing problems and regulatory delays. President Biden announced a plan to provide 500 million rapid at-home tests to Americans, but it is unclear how soon these tests will be ready for distribution.

In the past, the CDC has also been criticized for issuing unclear or confusing guidelines, a critique that persists after this week’s updates.

Regardless of the debate over the new guidelines, scientists and public health officials agree that vaccination is the best way for individuals to protect themselves and reduce the impact of COVID-19 on their communities.

According to the CDC, data from South Africa and the United Kingdom demonstrates that two doses of an mRNA vaccine are 35% effective in preventing infection, and a booster dose elevates this efficacy rate to 75%.

Vaccination also significantly reduces the risk of serious illness, hospitalization, and death.

The CDC strongly encourages vaccination for everyone 5 and older, and boosters for everyone 16 and older.