Discontinuation of Home Isolation for Persons with COVID-19 (Interim Guidance)

The decision to discontinue isolation* should be made in the context of local circumstances. Options now include both 1) a time-since-illness-onset and time-since-recovery (non-test-based) strategy, and 2) test-based strategy.

Time-since-illness-onset and time-since-recovery strategy (non-test-based strategy)**

Persons with COVID-19 who have symptoms and were directed to care for themselves at home may discontinue isolation under the following conditions:

• At least 3 days (72 hours) have passed since recovery defined as resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and
• Improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath); and,
• At least 7 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.

Test-based strategy (simplified from initial protocol) Previous recommendations for a test-based strategy remain applicable; however, a test-based strategy is contingent on the availability of ample testing supplies and laboratory capacity as well as convenient access to testing. For jurisdictions that choose to use a test-based strategy, the recommended protocol has been simplified so that only one swab is needed at every sampling.

Persons who have COVID-19 who have symptoms and were directed to care for themselves at home may discontinue isolation under the following conditions:

Persons with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 who have not had any symptoms may discontinue isolation when at least 7 days have passed since the date of their first positive COVID-19 viral test and have had no subsequent illness provided they remain asymptomatic. For 3 days following discontinuation of isolation, these persons should continue to limit contact (stay 6 feet away from others) and limit potential of dispersal of respiratory secretions by wearing a covering for their nose and mouth whenever they are in settings where other persons are present. In community settings, this covering may be a barrier mask, such as a bandana, scarf, or cloth mask. The covering does not refer to a medical mask or respirator.

Footnotes

*Note that recommendations for discontinuing isolation in persons known to be infected with COVID-19 could, in some circumstances, appear to conflict with recommendations on when to discontinue quarantine for persons known to have been exposed to COVID-19. CDC recommends 14 days of quarantine after exposure based on the time it takes to develop illness if infected. Thus, it is possible that a person known to be infected could leave isolation earlier than a person who is quarantined because of the possibility they are infected.

**This recommendation will prevent most but cannot prevent all instances of secondary spread.  The risk of transmission after recovery, is likely substantially less than that during illness; recovered persons will not be shedding large amounts of virus by this point if they are shedding at all. Certain employers can choose to apply more stringent criteria for certain returning workers where a higher threshold to prevent transmission is warranted.  These criteria can include requiring a longer time after recovery or requiring they get tested to show they are not shedding virus. Such persons include healthcare workers in close contact with vulnerable persons at high-risk for illness and death if those persons get COVID-19. It also includes persons who work in critical infrastructure or with high-value human assets (e.g., military) where introduction of COVID-19 could cause major disruptions or reduce national security. Lastly, persons who have conditions that might weaken their immune system could have prolonged viral shedding after recovery. Such persons should discuss with their healthcare provider how best to assess if they are safe to return to work; this might include getting tested again to show that they are not shedding virus.

***All test results should be final before isolation is ended. Testing guidance is based upon limited information and is subject to change as more information becomes available.

Read the original article at Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)