The CDC now says people isolating with COVID-19 may take an at-home test on day five if they have not had symptoms in 24 hours — however it is not required.
The CDC had been getting some criticism from outside medical experts for shortening their recommended isolation period to five days in the wake of the omicron variant surge. The CDC says people can take an at-home test, and the agency has guidelines based on the result.
CBS News Medical Contributor Dr. David Agus breaks it down: "If that test is positive, complete the full 10 days of isolation. If a test is negative, then one can go out with five days further of wearing a mask and all times that one leaves the home."
Agus says if the CDC had required testing, it would have presented more hurdles.
"The problem is it has been very difficult for people to get the home antigen test. There has been a limiting supply at local pharmacies and online, and one has to really struggle to get them. So while this clarification makes sense and is important, it's going to be hard to see it enacted globally across the country. There is going to be significant demand for these tests, and supply is obviously very limited at present."
The CDC says during that 10-day period, people should not go to places where they can't wear a mask — like a restaurant, for example. And they should avoid eating around other people, even when at home.
This does not apply to those with more serious COVID-19 cases or for those who are immunocompromised. Their isolation period is about 10 to 20 days.
Agus says crafting a policy that works for everyone is proving to be a challenge.
"There are lots of ways where this has been misunderstood, this guidance, and it really wasn't a one-size-fits-all, I think. If there are adequate COVID-19 antigen tests, this is a very cogent policy going forward," Agus said.
The CDC says the changes aim to "focus on the period when a person is most infectious. ... These updated recommendations also facilitate individual social and well-being needs, return to work, and maintenance of critical infrastructure."
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