Americans who test positive for COVID-19 would no longer need to be isolated for at least five days before returning to work or school, according to new guidance released Friday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

US health authorities are now advising people to stay home if they are sick, but those whose COVID-19 symptoms are improving and have been fever-free for 24 hours without medication can return to work, school, or other public places. 

However, the CDC still recommends wearing a mask for five days, maintaining physical distance, focusing on good ventilation, washing hands, and continuing to test before gatherings. 

CDC Says Threat of COVID-19 Is Diminishing

The CDC data shows new infections are causing less severe illness, and vaccination offers significant protection. Although coronavirus infections have continued at similar levels in past years, the data also shows that hospitalizations and fatalities have reduced.

Citing CDC data, the Washington Post reported that COVID-19 hospitalizations fell by more than 60% from their peak in 2021, dropping from over 2.5 million that year to roughly 900,000 in 2023. 

COVID-associated deaths also dropped. More than 450,000 COVID-19 deaths were recorded in 2021 and fell to around 75,000 in 2023.

CDC Director Mandy Cohen told Bloomberg: "We are in a new place... Vaccines, medicines, and infection-induced immunity have reduced the virus' threat."

The new guidance is the same given for flu, RSV, and other respiratory viral illnesses and is for the general population and community settings. The CDC does not change the respiratory virus guidance for healthcare settings, like hospitals, with more vulnerable individuals.

Before Friday's update, the CDC recommended that people who tested positive for COVID-19 to stay home for at least five days and isolate themselves from others. This recommendation was implemented in late 2021.

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Concerns Linger for People With Disabilities and Others 

Elderly, people with disabilities, and others who face a higher risk of severe COVID-19 condemned the CDC's updated guidelines, which they said endanger them by removing attempts to control transmission.

However, in a statement released Friday, Cohen noted that their goal in updating the guidance was to "protect those at risk for severe illness while also reassuring folks that these recommendations are simple, clear, easy-to-understand, and can be followed."

Cohen also said the updated guidelines reflect "the progress we have made in protecting against severe illness from COVID-19."

"However, we still must use the commonsense solutions we know work to protect ourselves and others from serious illness from respiratory viruses - this includes vaccination, treatment, and staying home when we get sick," she added.

This week, the CDC suggested an additional vaccine dose for older adults since it can provide added protection to immunity that may have waned over time.

Cohen said federal health officials expect updated vaccines for COVID-19 and flu to come out this fall. CDC officials advised people to get vaccinated with the latest version of the vaccine for added protection to immunity.

The new recommendations follow similar moves by California and Oregon. California shortened its five-day isolation rule in January, while Oregon did it last May.

The CDC noted that these states have not seen increased hospitalizations or deaths related to COVID-19 after changing their recommended isolation times.

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