Report: CDC To Cut Covid Quarantine Time To 10 Days

Topline

The 14-day recommended quarantine time after exposure to Covid-19 is set to be cut to 10 days by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to The Associated Press, which reported that the CDC will also recommend just a 7-day quarantine for anyone who receives a negative test after being exposed.

Key Facts

Crucial Quote

“Putting in place a 10-day quarantine period, even a seven-day quarantine period, you’re going to capture the vast majority of infections within that time frame,” former FDA head Scott Gottlieb, who has often been critical of the federal government’s handling of Covid-19, told CBS’ “Face the Nation” on Sunday.

Key Background

Health officials are worried that massive numbers of Americans were exposed to Covid-19 while traveling and gathering with family for the Thanksgiving holiday, which came after weeks of the nation setting records for new cases. Hospitalizations have also continued to set new record highs nearly every day for the past three weeks, according to The COVID Tracking Project, while deaths tolls are at the highest level since the spring. 

What We Don’t Know

It’s unclear at this point how many people may have been exposed to coronavirus during Thanksgiving. The amount of new cases has actually started to decline, but in response to a sharp decrease in testing caused by the holiday. 

Further Reading

CDC to shorten COVID-19 quarantine to 10 days, 7 with test (The Associated Press)

CDC Could Start Recommending A Shorter Covid Quarantine. Here’s Why. (Forbes)

The CDC is expected to shorten Covid quarantine time, something most everyone seems to agree on (CNBC)

Gottlieb says shorter quarantine period would still capture “vast majority” of virus cases (CBS News)

Full coverage and live updates on the Coronavirus