COVID-19 Update: New Quarantine Recommendations
Although the U.S. Centers for Disease & Prevention (CDC) continues to recommend a 14-day quarantine for anyone with an exposure to someone COVID-19 as the best way to prevent spread of the illness, the government agency recently released new recommendations on quarantine periods that provide options to reduce the number of days.
The new guidance calls for people who have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19 and lack symptoms should quarantine for 10 days without testing, or for seven days with a negative COVID-19 test. The seven-day option requires a test be done not more than 48 hours prior to the 7th day.
According to the CDC, “Reducing the length of quarantine may make it easier for people to quarantine by reducing the time they cannot work. The CDC recognizes that any quarantine shorter than 14 days balances reduced burden against a small possibility of spreading the virus.”
During the quarantine period, the CDC recommends the following steps:
- Stay home for 14 days after your last contact with a person who has COVID-19.
- Watch for fever (100.4◦F), cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19.
- If possible, stay away from others, especially people who are at higher risk for getting very sick from COVID-19.
For those who meet the definition for a shorter quarantine period, the CDC recommends the following steps after stopping quarantine:
- Watch for symptoms until 14 days after exposure (even though you are quarantining for less days).
- If you have symptoms, immediately self-isolate and contact your local public health authority or healthcare provider.
- Wear a mask, stay at least 6 feet from others, wash your hands, avoid crowds, and take other steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
- Avoid contact with people who are most vulnerable – older people, and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness.
It’s important to remember that the CDC update pertains only to quarantine; the isolation guidelines for those who have tested positive and have symptoms or remain without symptoms have not changed. That means if you are sick, isolate for 10 days from the start of your symptoms and isolate 10 days from the day of your positive test if you have no symptoms.
Complete When to Quarantine information is available on the CDC’s website.
More Recent Healthcare News
The new Boca Grande Health Clinic welcomed its first patients today, bringing expanded care, new technology, and familiar faces together at 280 Park Avenue. “Today, we welcome patients to a new clinic capable of providing more of the advanced care they need, right here on the island,” said Mark Driscoll, CEO of the Boca Grande […]
More than 300 people gathered May 5 as the Boca Grande Health Clinic officially dedicated its new Clinic of the Future to the community and recognized the many donors who made the project possible. Held at the new clinic location of 280 Park Avenue, the event highlighted the vision behind the project and the community […]
If you are struggling to think of the right gift this Mother’s Day, consider something many women rarely give themselves: time to focus on their health. May is Women’s Health Month, which highlights the importance of preventive care, regular screenings, and healthy habits. Yet many women struggle to make these a priority. Women often spend […]
You're Invited: Clinic of the Future Dedication Ceremony
April 22, 2026Please join us as we welcome the future of healthcare to the island and dedicate the Boca Grande Health Clinic’s new Clinic of the Future to the community it will serve. Be among the first to tour the new Clinic before it opens to patients and enjoy light refreshments and conversation. Tuesday, May 5, 2026 […]