Covid-19: US CDC shortens quarantine and isolation period. See details

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has shortened quarantine and isolation duration for Covid-19 positive people.

The CDC has said that Americans who test positive for the coronavirus can self-isolate for just five days, down from the 10 days the agency previously recommended.

Americans leaving isolation should wear masks around others for an additional five days after their isolation periods have ended, the officials said.

Also watch: Covid-19: 11,500 flights cancelled across the world since Friday

The CDC also shortened the recommended time for people to quarantine if they are exposed to the virus to a similar five days if they are vaccinated. People who are fully vaccinated and boosted may not need to quarantine at all, the CDC said.

The updated guidance comes amid a rising tide of infections that threatens to swamp the US health care system. On Sunday, the seven-day national average of new daily cases climbed past 2,14,000, an 83 percent jump over the past 14 days.