The Centers for Disease Control has issued updated recommendations for how to protect yourself and your community from COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses. It has been over two years since the last revision during the pandemic. Previous guidelines required five days of isolation and then five days of strict masking, if better on day 5. If not improved, stay home. This was a change from 10 days of isolation prior to that. In the beginning of the pandemic, isolation was until you tested negative and then for two weeks.
The new guidelines address not just COVID-19. It includes RSV, influenza and other viral respiratory illnesses, to simplify for easier compliance. If you are sick with a respiratory virus, consider testing, stay home until symptoms have improved and you are fever-free for at least 24 hours without any fever-reducing medication. After resuming normal activity, mask, keep your distance and good hygiene for five days.
The CDC stresses the importance of common-sense solutions including vaccination, COVID-19 and flu treatments, staying home when sick and protecting those more susceptible. The core prevention steps include: stay up to date on vaccinations, practice good hygiene by covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing, washing hands and surfaces. Also, take steps for cleaner air by bringing in fresh air, purifying indoor air and gather outdoors when possible.
Other recommendations include enhanced precautions for over 65 years old and immunocompromised. There are specific sections in the guidance for the immunosuppressed, people with disabilities, pregnant, postpartum, infants, young children and older adults.
The change in regulations is due to the decrease in hospitalizations and death from COVID-19. We have more tools to combat these viruses. The CDC states it reflects the progress we have made protecting against severe illness. In the past week, COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths are down 9% and 10%, respectively. COVID-19 and other viruses are no longer threatening hospital capacity. Other countries who have already been using the adjusted isolation have not seen an increase in hospitalizations and death.
The updated guidance does not affect health care settings. Locally, health care facilities continue to see high rates of respiratory illness and have precautions in place to protect patients and staff.
Also in the COVID-19 arena, the federal government is suspending the free home COVID-19 test distribution program. They recommend older adults get another booster this spring. Of interest to watch, is research showing the SARS-CoV-2 remaining in patients’ guts for two years after infection. The findings of double-stranded RNA suggest it is not inert and may actually be active SARS-CoV-2. This could be related to long COVID, heart attacks and other medical problems occurring after COVID-19 infection. Research on long COVID and other long-term effects of the pandemic continue.
Take care of yourself and someone else.
Juanita Carnes is a Westfield resident and a nurse practitioner with 38 years of experience in a hospital emergency department and urgent care facilities. She served 30 years on the Westfield Board of Health.
