Dear Taconic Hills Families,
On March 1, 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) officially revised and simplified its COVID-19 guidance for how long individuals should isolate from others. Most notably, the updated guidelines discontinue the requirements for a 5-day quarantine.
The CDC has moved from virus-specific guidance to issuing overall Respiratory Virus Guidance as the threat of COVID-19 has become similar to common respiratory illnesses such as the flu and RSV. Its new recommendations “suggest returning to normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, symptoms are improving overall, and if a fever was present, it has been gone without use of a fever-reducing medication.”
If you are sick:
Stay home and away from others (including people you live with who are not sick) if you have respiratory virus symptoms that aren't better explained by another cause. These symptoms can include fever, chills, fatigue, cough, runny nose, and headache, among others*. If you have early to latent symptoms of a respiratory illness or tested positive for COVID-19, please review the CDC's Updated Guidance.
You can go back to your normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, both are true:
Your symptoms are getting better overall, and
You have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication).
When you go back to your normal activities, take added precautions over the next 5 days, such as taking additional steps for cleaner air, hygiene, masks, physical distancing, and/or testing when you will be around other people indoors.
· Remember that even if you are feeling better, you may still be able to spread the virus that made you sick. Depending on factors like how long you were sick, you are likely to be less contagious at this time.
· If you develop a fever or start to feel worse after you have gone back to normal activities, stay home and away from others again until, for at least 24 hours, both are true: your symptoms are improving overall, and you have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication). Then, take added precautions for the next 5 days.
*Symptoms may include, but are not limited to, chest discomfort, chills, cough, decrease in appetite, diarrhea, fatigue (tiredness), fever or feeling feverish, headache, muscle or body aches, new loss of taste or smell, runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat, vomiting, weakness, and wheezing.
Thank you for your attention to these updated guidelines. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.