No, the CDC hasn’t changed its five-day COVID-19 isolation guidelines yet

UPDATE (3/1/2024): People who test positive for COVID-19 no longer need to isolate themselves for five days, according to updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Under the new guidance, people are advised to stay home until their symptoms are improving overall and they have been without a fever for 24 hours. The story continues as originally published below:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended since December 2021 that people with COVID-19 isolate themselves for five days. 

Now, a Washington Post report about the CDC planning to change that guidance has led to some confusion online. Some social media posts imply that the CDC has already changed its isolation guidelines and Google search data show people are wondering if that’s true. 

THE QUESTION

Has the CDC changed its five-day COVID-19 isolation guidelines?

THE SOURCES

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• State health departments in North Carolina and Washington

THE ANSWER

No, the CDC has not changed its five-day COVID-19 isolation guidelines yet. 

WHAT WE FOUND

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is still recommending that people who test positive for COVID-19 should stay home for at least five days and isolate themselves from others in their home. 

People should also wear a high-quality mask if they have to be around others in their home during the isolation period, according to the current CDC guidelines. 

A spokesperson for the federal health agency told VERIFY there are “no updates to COVID guidelines to announce at this time.”

“We will continue to make decisions based on the best evidence and science to keep communities healthy and safe,” the spokesperson added.

North Carolina’s Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) and the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) also confirmed that the CDC isolation guidelines remain the same for now. 

“NCDHHS is aware that the CDC is considering a change in guidance for isolation related to COVID-19,” a spokesperson for the department told VERIFY. “We will consider how we may change our guidance in North Carolina if, and when, new guidance for the CDC is finalized.”

A spokesperson for the Washington DOH said that as of Wednesday afternoon, it is “still in alignment with the CDC regarding isolation and quarantine guidance for positive COVID-19 cases.” The department spokesperson linked out to the current five-day isolation guidance on the CDC website.

The Washington Post reports that the CDC plans to recommend in the future that people who test positive for COVID-19 “use clinical symptoms to determine when to end isolation.” Under that guidance, people would no longer need to stay home if they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without the aid of medication, and their symptoms are mild and improving, according to three anonymous agency officials who spoke to the news outlet. 

Those federal recommendations would mirror updated COVID-19 isolation guidance that health officials in California and Oregon have already implemented. 

VERIFY reached out to the White House and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) about potential changes to current COVID-19 guidelines, but has not yet received a response.