Local, national expert on reported possible change of CDC COVID-19 isolation guidance – RochesterFirst

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) The five-day isolation period for COVID-19 could be done as a federal guideline later this year.

The CDC has not confirmed this widely reported change, but should they make the change, it would be the first major change to the isolation protocol since 2021.

Instead of the five-day isolation period, people would be able to leave their homes if theyve been fever-free, without medication, for 24 hours, but these new isolation recommendations would not apply to hospitals and other healthcare settings with more vulnerable populations.

Dr. Lara Jirmanus from the watchdog group, The Peoples CDC said to CBS News that this proposed change does not follow the science.

Most people continue to be shedding virus for about 9 days with a range of 6-11 days, she said. The more doses of vaccine you have, younger patients will tend to be infectious for maybe one day less than that. Older patients and patients with severe disease can shed the virus for a longer time.

Local pediatrician Dr. Edward Lewis says should this guidance be changed:

Practically speaking, I think a lot of people have been operating under this premise anyways. but in general, were sort of at a point before things went upside down and COVID is a virus, he said. Coronavirus has been around for years and it causes really bad colds.

NYSDOH said in a statement they continue to follow CDCs COVID-19 guidance, and if CDCs isolation guidance changes, so too will ours.

See the original post:

Local, national expert on reported possible change of CDC COVID-19 isolation guidance - RochesterFirst