The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is reportedly planning to update its Covid-19 isolation guidance, stating that individuals with mild symptoms or improving conditions will no longer need to isolate once they have been fever-free for 24 hours. According to the Washington Post, multiple unnamed agency officials disclosed this anticipated shift, which was discussed internally and in a briefing with state health officials last week.

While the CDC stated that there were no immediate changes to announce concerning isolation guidelines, since 2021, the agency has advocated for individuals who test positive for Covid-19 to isolate for at least five days and to continue wearing masks. The proposed revised guidance aims to align the approach towards Covid-19 with that of other respiratory viruses, such as the flu.

Earlier, California and Oregon had opted to deviate from CDC's guidelines, stating that individuals who test positive for Covid-19 are no longer required to isolate for a predetermined period, and those without symptoms don't have to isolate at all, as reported by CNN. Experts acknowledged that the science behind Covid-19 transmission had not changed, but they generally agreed that relaxing isolation timeframes would not have a significant impact on community transmission or severe outcomes. This was partly due to the fact that the virus has been circulating at high levels, even with stricter guidance in place.

The proposed shift in guidelines also aligns with the behavior of many Americans, according to some infectious disease experts. Dr. William Schaffner of Vanderbilt University pointed out that individuals who test positive for Covid-19 often do not strictly adhere to isolation guidelines anymore. He mentioned the prevalence of the latest coronavirus variant, JN.1, which tends to cause mild infections resulting in fewer tests being conducted. As a result, people tend to resume their normal activities once they feel better.

Additional experts supported the potential update, considering the increased immunity to Covid-19 in the population, access to treatment, and the decline in hospitalizations and deaths. Dr. Clay Marsh, West Virginia's Covid-19 czar, deemed it reasonable for the CDC to adapt national strategies based on the current state of affairs. Acknowledging the risks of long Covid and mortality among vulnerable populations, Marsh believed that the proposed guidance met the standard they were observing.

However, not everyone views the possible change favorably, arguing that it could lead to increased transmission of the virus. Dr. Eric Topol, founder and director of the Scripps Research Translational Institute, labeled it as a reckless policy change that would promote the spread of Covid and Long Covid.

The latest CDC data, based on wastewater surveillance, suggests that Covid-19 is still prevalent at high levels throughout the US. The agency also noted that infections are causing severe illness less frequently compared to earlier in the pandemic. Nonetheless, thousands of people continue to be hospitalized, and hundreds die from the virus on a weekly basis. The most recent CDC data, ending on February 3, indicated approximately 21,000 Covid-19 hospitalizations. Although this number is about 20% lower than the same period last year, it is more than three times higher than the lowest point during the summer.

As the CDC considers adapting its guidelines, it remains crucial for individuals to stay updated with the latest recommendations and continue practicing preventive measures to curb the spread of the virus.