On Thursday, August 11, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention streamlined its COVID-19 protocols to help people better understand their risk, how to protect themselves and others, what actions to take if exposed to COVID-19, and what actions to take if they are sick or test positive for the virus.
While COVID-19 continues to circulate around the world, the public health entity said with the many tools available, vaccines and other safeguards have significantly reduced the severity of the virus in comparison to the early days of the pandemic.
WXYZ reported that the CDC removed the recommendation for quarantining if someone is exposed to COVID by another infected person. Individuals also don’t have to socially distance themselves and stay six feet away from one another.
The move happened two-and-a-half years after the pandemic, which has changed the immunity levels of Americans, which about 95 percent (16 years and older) either are vaccinated or caught the virus.
One of the most noticeable education-connected to the updated CDC guidelines is removing the recommendation that schools daily test, something that can be reintroduced if surges occur, officials said in the article.
Masks are still recommended, however, especially in high-risk areas or if a person is ill, according to the article.
“We’re in a stronger place today as a nation, with more tools—like vaccination, boosters, and treatments—to protect ourselves, and our communities, from severe illness from COVID-19,” said Greta Massetti, PhD, the branch chief of the Field Epidemiology and Prevention Branch. “We also have a better understanding of how to protect people from being exposed to the virus, like wearing high-quality masks, testing, and improved ventilation. This guidance acknowledges that the pandemic is not over, but also helps us move to a point where COVID-19 no longer severely disrupts our daily lives.”
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