By County News Center
San Diego, CA–San Diego county residents test positive for COVID-19 only have to isolate for five days, the County Health and Human Services Agency said Tuesday.
The county is now following the new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention which decreased the isolation period from 10 to five days for most people with no symptoms but who test positive for COVID-19. The California Department of Public Health also aligns with this guidance.
In addition to isolating for five days, COVID-19 patients with no symptoms must wear a mask for an additional five days when around other people. Health care personnel may have different criteria.
“The county is following the CDC guidance because science shows the majority of SARS-CoV-2 transmission occurs early in the course of illness, typically 1 to 2 days prior to developing symptoms and the 2-3 days after,” said Wilma Wooten, M.D., County public health officer. “People with no symptoms can leave isolation after that, provided they wear an appropriate mask to decrease the risk to others.”
The additional changes made by the CDC:
The quarantine period for people exposed to COVID-19 is now 5 days followed by strict mask use for an additional 5 days for people who are unvaccinated or fully vaccinated but have not received their booster shot.
If a 5-day quarantine is not feasible, exposed people must wear a well-fitting mask at all times when around others for 10 days after exposure.
People who have gotten their booster shot do not need to be quarantined following exposure but should wear a mask for 10 days after the exposure.
People who are exposed to COVID-19 should get tested on day 5 after exposure.
If symptoms develop, people should immediately isolate until a negative test confirms it’s not COVID-19.
“The new guidance also works to slow the spread of the Omicron variant, which has led to a significant increase in cases nationally and in San Diego County,” Wooten said.
