The CDC’s decision to shorten the Covid quarantine period to five days left experts “baffled” amid a surge in cases and hospitalizations linked to the new Omicron strain.
“CDC’s new guidance to drop isolation of positives to 5 days without a negative test is reckless,” said Epidemiologist and immunologist Michael Mina.
“Some people stay infectious 3 days, some 12. I absolutely don’t want to sit next to someone who turned Pos 5 days ago and hasn’t tested Neg. Test Neg to leave isolation early is just smart.”
Min’s point was shared by Erin Bromage, an associate professor of immunology at the University of Massachusetts.
“I am baffled at CDC’s decision to shorten isolation. Here are tests from the same person: day 0 (3 days after exposure) and day 8. The person still has a huge amount of virus in their nose 8 days after testing positive.”
Epidemiologist and Health Economist Eric Feigl-Ding questioned the timing of the new guidance.
“50% CUT – does this make sense – CDC shortens Covid isolation period for those without symptoms (self-reported) to just 5 days, instead of 10,” he wrote.
“All while Omicron cases surpassing last year’s peaks with hospitalizations up too – I really worry about this.”
