Del. health officials to implement updated CDC guidance regarding isolation and quarantine

DOVER, Del. – The Delaware Division of Public Health has announced that it will implement updated guidance by the CDC to shorten the recommended time that people should isolate or quarantine from 10 days to 5 days, based on certain conditions and vaccination status.

We’re told this change comes after science has shown that the majority of COVID-19 transmission occurs early in the course of illness, typically in the 1 to 2 days prior to the onset of symptoms and the 2 to 3 days after. People who test positive should isolate for 5 days and, if they have no symptoms at that time, may leave isolation as long as they continue to wear a mask for 5 days to minimize the risk of infecting others.

According to the new CDC guidance:

• Those who test positive but do not have symptoms can reduce the isolation period from 10 days to 5 days as long as the person wears a mask around others for at least 5 additional days. If you have a fever, remain in isolation until the fever resolves.
• Close contacts who are unvaccinated or more than 6 months out from their second dose of Pfizer or Moderna or 2 months out from their single dose of Johnson & Johnson without a booster should quarantine for 5 days instead of 10, followed by mask use for an additional 5 days.
• For close contacts who have received their booster shot or initial series of Pfizer or Moderna less than 6 months ago or Johnson & Johnson less than 2 months ago, no quarantine is needed, but these individuals should wear a mask for 10 days after the exposure to the positive case.
• For vaccinated close contacts who are not yet eligible for a booster, including those younger than 16, no quarantine is needed.

The CDC also says that for those exposed, the best practice would also include a COVID test at day 5 after exposure. If symptoms occur, individuals should immediately quarantine until a negative test confirms symptoms are not related to COVID-19.

DPH will also be refocusing its contact tracing efforts to focus on case investigation and contact tracing in high-risk settings, such as schools and long term care facilities. Epidemiologists will ask individuals who are positive for COVID-19 to inform their close contacts instead of reaching out to all close contacts itself. We’re told this change is due to increasing case numbers to investigate and the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, causing a need to prioritize its personnel and resources on preventing spread among those at highest risk.