No one wants to spread an infection to someone who could get seriously ill or die from it. If you test positive for Covid or have symptoms, it’s important to stay home and isolate. I’ll try to clarify CDC’s guidance on what you should do if you get Covid. 1/thread
The reality is that Omicron is out of control in the US. Because of this, critical services are at risk of disruption, including our health system, schools, and transportation. We MUST save both lives and livelihoods. 2/
Based on what we know right now, Omicron is much more infectious than other variants and shortens the time between exposure and symptomatic illness. People are most infectious just before they develop symptoms and a day or two after. 3/
Some infected people don’t develop symptoms at all but are still able to spread the virus. 4/
Early data suggest that on an INDIVIDUAL basis, Omicron is much less likely to cause severe illness compared with other variants and is roughly as severe as influenza (and much less severe for those who are up to date on vaccinations). 5/
The virus adapts, so we need to adapt. With so many cases, the vast majority of which won’t be severe, CDC is rightly adapting guidance to fit these new data & circumstances. Our primary goal now must be to protect the most vulnerable. Here’s how to think through the guidance. 6/
If you get Covid and you’re in contact with people who are vulnerable to serious illness from it—including elderly or immunocompromised people or those in nursing homes, homeless shelters, or other high risk settings—then isolate for 10 days no matter what. 7/
If you're severely ill with Covid OR immunocompromised, isolate for at least 10 days, since you may be infectious longer than others. Ideally, you should consult with your healthcare provider about when you can safely end isolation. 8/
If you get Covid and you’re not around anyone vulnerable AND your symptoms are improving or resolved, you can stop isolation after five days as long as you wear a mask all the time (so no going to restaurants, for example) for the next five days. 9/
Yes, you could get a test at day five. And yes, if it’s positive you should isolate for longer. But as long as vulnerable people aren’t being exposed, not testing everyone at day five is a perfectly reasonable approach in this Moment of Omicron. 10/
Antigen tests aren’t perfect. People who test negative may still be contagious, and a negative result doesn't change the need to mask until day 10. 11/
Many are looking for a simple answer, but there isn’t one. It’s easy to criticize but hard to do better. Our goals must be to shield the most vulnerable, preserve health care, and avoid disruptive measures that don’t provide much benefit. 12/
Bottom line: If you get Covid, take care of yourself and protect people around you by isolating for at least five days—10 days if you’re around vulnerable people or are immunocompromised or seriously ill. When in doubt, err on the side of caution and isolate for 10 days. 13/end
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