Regarding COVID-19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have released revised recommendations that remove the 5-day quarantine and treat coronaviruses similar to the flu.
The CDC stated in a news statement on Friday that “the new advice introduces a uniform strategy for addressing risks from a range of common respiratory viral diseases, including COVID-19, flu, and RSV, which can cause severe health consequences and burden on hospitals and health care workers.”
“Although each respiratory virus has unique characteristics, implementing a cohesive strategy to curb disease transmission simplifies guidelines and increases their likelihood of being implemented. Additionally, it eliminates the need for patients to self-test for sickness, a procedure that evidence suggests is not consistently followed,” the CDC said.
Compared to earlier COVID guidelines, the CDC drastically reduced the level of precautions related to the virus.
The CDC has recently amended its guidelines for late 2021, stating that individuals who test positive for COVID-19 no longer need to isolate themselves from others for at least five days. The CDC advised those who tested positive to undergo a 10-day period of isolation at the start of the epidemic.
According to the national health service, individuals can resume their regular activities once their symptoms have improved for a minimum of 24 hours and, in the event of a fever, it has subsided without the need for fever-reducing medicine.
The CDC said, “Treatment is available and can minimize symptoms and lower the risk of severe illness for patients with COVID-19 and influenza.”
Those who were affected were instructed by the CDC to stay away from other people and use a mask that fits properly.
The updated recommendations called for “taking greater actions for cleaner air.”
In terms of “key preventative measures and tactics,” the CDC suggests “gathering outside, purifying indoor air, or bringing in additional fresh outside air.”
Additionally, the CDC advised maintaining current COVID and influenza immunizations.
“Today’s news highlights the progress we have achieved in guarding against severe sickness from COVID-19,” stated Dr. Mandy Cohen, director of the CDC. To safeguard ourselves and others from severe respiratory virus-related illnesses, we still need to apply the commonsense measures that we know are effective, such as being vaccinated, receiving treatment, and remaining at home while we’re unwell.”
The United States is “observing significantly fewer hospitalizations and fatalities linked with COVID-19 and because we have more tools than ever to battle flu, COVID, and RSV,” according to the health department, which is why it is now updating the COVID recommendations.