BACKGROUND
The landscape of COVID-19 has transformed significantly since its onset, with substantial immunity developed through natural infection and/or vaccination, alongside advancements in available treatment options for infected people. These developments have contributed to a decrease in hospitalization and mortality rates than prior winter seasons during the pandemic.
Given these changes, there was a need to revise isolation guidelines to reflect the current understanding of the virus’s transmission and impact. This shift in guidance acknowledges that COVID-19 still has the potential to cause serious disease, but also aims to minimize the disruptive nature and impact of isolation in schools and workplaces. COVID-19 infections can be mildly symptomatic or asymptomatic and many people are no longer testing and are not aware of what infection they may have.
ISOLATION CHANGES
A symptom-based approach to isolation is consistent with other viral respiratory infection recommendations. This change provides for a unified exclusion criterion based on individuals with respiratory symptoms, irrespective of the underlying virus (COVID-19, influenza, etc.).
- The recommendation for those with respiratory symptoms (not just those with COVID-19) is to be excluded until fever-free for 24 hours without the use of a fever reducing medication AND respiratory symptoms are mild and improving.
- The Child Illnesses And Exclusion Criteria for Education and Child Care Settings document has been modified to incorporate the new exclusion recommendations.