DR Anthony Fauci has announced that the CDC might change the Covid quarantine rules yet again, just a week after asymptomatic Americans were told they only had to stay inside for five days.
Last Monday the CDC announced that Americans with asymptomatic Covid could shorten quarantine time from 10 to five days, but now Fauci says the decision is being reconsidered.
DR Anthony Fauci has announced that the CDC might change the Covid quarantine rules again
It’s far from the first time that the CDC has changed its position on the appropriate quarantine time
Speaking on Sunday, Fauci was asked by George Stephanopoulos about the backlash surrounding the CDC’s decision to allow asymptomatic people to go out, wearing a mask, after just five days.
“You’re right, there has been some concern about why we don’t ask people at that five-day period to get tested. That is something that is now under consideration,” Fauci said on ABC News.
“The CDC is very well aware that there has been some pushback about that. Looking at it again, there may be an option in that testing could be a part of that,” he added.
“I think we’re going to be hearing more about that in the next day or so from the CDC.”
Last month the CDC shortened the quarantine time for those with no symptoms, but Americans still have to quarantine the full ten days if they show symptoms.
It’s far from the first time that the CDC has changed its position on the appropriate quarantine time.
The officially-required quarantine time has gone from 14 days at first, then to 10, and is now currently at five without a test requirement.
Last week Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials said the guidance is in keeping with growing evidence that people with the coronavirus are most infectious in the two days before and three days after symptoms develop.
The decision also was driven by a recent surge in Covid cases, propelled by the omicron variant.
Early research suggests omicron may cause milder illnesses than earlier versions of the coronavirus.
However, the sheer number of people becoming infected — and therefore having to isolate or quarantine — threatens to crush the ability of hospitals, airlines and other businesses to stay open, experts say.
Omicron has led to massive disruptions in several industries, including airlines.
Thousands of flights were cancelled over Christmas weekend due to staffing shortages brought on by the surge in omicron cases.
