In the case of the spread of the Omikerong mutant strain, the US CdC revised the isolation guidelines, shortening the isolation time from 10 days to 5 days, which caused controversy in public opinion. The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention explained on January 4 that the revision of the isolation guidelines is based on research finding that people infected with the new crown virus are most contagious in the first two days and three days after the onset of symptoms, so anyone who can be tested and wants to be tested is best tested for rapid antigens at the end of the isolation period.
"YONHA News Agency" reports: "CDC explains reasons for shortening quarantine time"
According to the Associated Press reported on January 4, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revised its isolation guidelines for new crown pneumonia patients on December 27, reducing the recommended isolation time for asymptomatic new crown patients who test positive from 10 days to 5 days, and for patients infected with new crown virus, no further testing is required before the end of isolation. The CDC also recommends that anyone who has not been fully vaccinated with COVID-19 and boosters should be isolated for 10 days if they come into contact with a COVID-19 patient. The CDC says the new guidelines also apply to children.
But for the guidelines some federal officials hinted at the need to reconsider. Some experts have questioned how the new quarantine guidelines were developed and why they should be shortened in the event of a surge in cases of the Omikejong variant. Other experts expressed disappointment that the quarantine guidelines did not re-test whether patients were contagious.
Screenshot of the Yonhap report