The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its guidance for managing staff with COVID-19 infection or exposure to decrease the time that health care workers must isolate after infection/exposure. CDC has similarly updated its strategies to mitigate health care staffing shortages. Both web pages include a helpful chart called “Work Restrictions for HCP with SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Exposures.”
Specifically, CDC’s updated guidance:
- Shortens the time that asymptomatic workers with COVID-19 need to be off work to seven days with a negative test, and shortens isolation time further if there are staffing shortages
- Incorporates boosters into requirements for workers who do not need to quarantine at home following high-risk exposures
- Clarifies which tests detect the omicron variant
These guidelines apply only to the health care workforce. Hospitals should continue to monitor the CDC website for further updates, as CDC has indicated that additional guidance will be published soon. Additionally, hospitals should continue to follow All Facilities Letter 21-08.5 until that letter is updated to include CDC guidance.