In a break with federal guidelines, California has adopted new policies addressing COVID-19 isolation signaling a new phase of the pandemic.
Earlier this month, the state issued an order revising the infectious period definition for isolation and exclusion related to COVID-19. Under the new order, someone who tests positive for COVID-19 but is symptom-free no longer must isolate. Anyone who tests positive and has mild symptoms can end isolation upon symptom improvement if the person has remained fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medication.
The state’s new order comes as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention nationally reports increased deaths from COVID but downward trends in hospitalizations, emergency department visits and positive COVID tests. Older adults, however, remain among the most vulnerable if they become infected, and senior living community workers and visitors coming into a community from the greater community are a common source of transmission.
The state’s guidance differs from that of the CDC, which continues to recommend that those who test positive stay home for at least five days, regardless of symptoms. The CDC’s recommendations have been in place since August 2022.
The state noted that it is “at a different point in time with reduced impacts from COVID-19” due to broad immunity from vaccination and readily available treatments. The state public health officer said that its interventions now are focused on protecting those most at risk for serious illness while reducing social disruption.
In the order, the state said it would remain vigilant and continue to mitigate the spread and impact of disease in populations at highest risk.
The order leaves in place recommendations on masking, which includes wearing masks around others for 10 days after the first day of COVID symptoms or a positive test result.
California isn’t alone in deviating from the CDC recommendations. In May, the Oregon Health Authority similarly said that people with COVID didn’t need to isolate for a set number of days, but rather that they should stay home if they have a fever and avoid contact with vulnerable people for 10 days.
