Tompkins County Whole Health announced Friday guidance from the Centers for Disease Control easing the amount of time people with COVID-19 should isolate before they can return to normal activities.
Instead of isolating for five days, then masking and taking other post-isolation precautions, COVID patients can return to their normal activities if, for at least 24 hours:
•Symptoms are improving.
•And you have not had a fever, without using fever-reducing medication.
Do stay home and away from others — including people you live with who are not sick — if you have respiratory virus symptoms that can’t be explained by other causes, including fever, chills, fatigue, cough, runny nose and headache.
People tend to be more infectious when they have a fever, the public health department reported, adding that a person’s isolation period could vary depending on the severity of their symptoms.
Once people resume normal activities following their isolation period, they should take precautions for the next five days to curb disease spread, such as wearing a well-fitting mask, reducing contact with others and practicing good hygiene. “We are encouraged by this update in guidance from the CDC, as it reflects a turning point in the course of this pandemic,” said Whole Health Director Frank Kruppa. “With effective vaccines and treatment available, risk of severe illness is significantly lowered. We must remember that respiratory illnesses like COVID-19, the flu and RSV more severely impact those with underlying health conditions, people with disabilities, older adults, young children and pregnant or recently pregnant persons, so it is essential to protect others by staying home when you are feeling sick, wearing a well-fitting mask when around others as needed, and staying up to date on your vaccinations.”
Prevention is better, he said:
•Stay up to date with vaccinations to protect yourself and others.
•Practice good hygiene by covering coughs and sneezes, washing or sanitizing hands often and cleaning frequently touched surfaces.
•Taking steps for cleaner air, such as bringing in more fresh outside air, purifying indoor air or gathering outdoors.
•Testing remains a tool to identify an infection, which can inform you of next steps to take, such as seeking treatment.
