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On October 21st, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its guidance on what constitutes “close contact” with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 for purposes of isolation. “Close contact” had been within 6 feet for a 15 minute period. It has now been revised to be within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes over a 24 hour period which greatly expands what may qualify. The CDC also provides some examples of factors that should be considered when evaluating the length and extent of the contact. This updated guidance is outlined in the chart below which addresses return to work scenarios under the current CDC guidance.
The updated guidance can also be found on the CDC’s website.
SITUATION |
CDC GUIDANCE ON RETURN TO WORK |
CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE |
| Positive test and symptoms | Symptom Based:
Test Based: If recommended by healthcare provider, 2 negative tests in a row taken at least 24 hours apart. Sources: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/disposition-in-home-patients.html https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/end-home-isolation.html https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/isolation.html |
No change |
| No test or negative test and symptoms | Symptom Based:
Test Based: If recommended by healthcare provider, 2 negative tests in a row taken at least 24 hours apart. Sources: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/end-home-isolation.html https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/isolation.html |
No change |
| Positive test without symptoms |
Time Based: 10 days since positive test Test Based: If recommended by healthcare provider, 2 negative tests in a row taken at least 24 hours apart. Sources: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/disposition-in-home-patients.html https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/isolation.html |
No change |
| Exposed with symptoms | Symptom Based:
Test Based: If recommended by healthcare provider, 2 negative tests in a row taken at least 24 hours apart. Sources: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/end-home-isolation.html https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/isolation.html |
No change |
| Exposed without symptoms |
If in “close contact” with someone who has tested positive (defined as within 6 feet for a total of 15 minutes over a 24 period starting from 2 days before illness onset or positive test), 14 days after exposure But no isolation needed if prior positive diagnosis within last 3 months and no ongoing symptoms Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/disposition-in-home-patients.html |
Can continue to work as long as they remain asymptomatic and additional precautions are taken (e.g., mask for 14 days and social distancing) |
