Guidelines for Ending Home Isolation for Patients Confirmed with COVID-19 Diagnosis
It is important to know when it is safe to end isolation for patients who have been diagnosed with COVID-19. The CDC provides guidelines that are broken out depending on if the patient has had symptoms or if they were symptom free. If they had symptoms there are two different strategies consisting of either a test-based or non-test based approach.
Persons with COVID-19 who HAVE had Symptoms
Non-Test Based Strategy
At least 3 days (72 hours) have passed since recovery defined as resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications
and
Improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath)
and
At least 7 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.
Test Based Strategy
Resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications
and
Improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath)
and
Two Negative COVID-19 Tests (Negative results of a COVID-19 nasopharyngeal swab collected at least 24 hours apart)
Persons with COVID-19 who have not had Symptoms
Laboratory-Confirmed COVID-19 Diagnosis Who Have Not Had Any Symptoms
7 days have passed since the date of their first positive COVID-19 diagnostic test
and
Have had no subsequent illness provided they remain asymptomatic
**For 3 days following discontinuation of isolation, these persons should continue to limit contact (stay 6 feet away from others) and limit potential of dispersal of respiratory secretions by wearing a covering for their nose and mouth whenever they are in settings where other people are present.
Complete Recommendations from the CDC
Limited information is available to characterize the spectrum of clinical illness, transmission efficiency, and the duration of viral shedding for persons with novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). This guidance is based on available information about COVID-19 and subject to change as additional information becomes available.
Who this is for:
Healthcare providers and public health officials managing persons with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) under isolation who are not in healthcare settings. This includes, but is not limited to, at home, in a hotel or dormitory room, or in group isolation facility.
The decision to discontinue isolation should be made in the context of local circumstances. Options now include both 1) a time-since-illness-onset and time-since-recovery (non-test-based) strategy, and 2) test-based strategy.
Time-since-illness-onset and time-since-recovery strategy (non-test-based strategy)*
Persons with COVID-19 who have symptoms and were directed to care for themselves at home may discontinue isolation under the following conditions:
- At least 3 days (72 hours) have passed since recovery defined as resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and
- Improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath); and,
- At least 7 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.
Test-based strategy (simplified from initial protocol) Previous recommendations for a test-based strategy remain applicable; however, a test-based strategy is contingent on the availability of ample testing supplies and laboratory capacity as well as convenient access to testing. For jurisdictions that choose to use a test-based strategy, the recommended protocol has been simplified so that only one swab is needed at every sampling.
Persons who have COVID-19 who have symptoms and were directed to care for themselves at home may discontinue isolation under the following conditions:
- Resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and
- Improvement in respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath) and
- Negative results of an FDA Emergency Use Authorized molecular assay for COVID-19 from at least two consecutive nasopharyngeal swab specimens collected ≥24 hours apart** (total of two negative specimens). See Interim Guidelines for Collecting, Handling, and Testing Clinical Specimens from Persons Under Investigation (PUIs) for 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) for specimen collection guidance.
Persons with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 who have not had any symptoms may discontinue isolation when at least 7 days have passed since the date of their first positive COVID-19 diagnostic test and have had no subsequent illness provided they remain asymptomatic. For 3 days following discontinuation of isolation, these persons should continue to limit contact (stay 6 feet away from others) and limit potential of dispersal of respiratory secretions by wearing a covering for their nose and mouth whenever they are in settings where other people are present. In community settings, this covering may be a barrier mask, such as a bandana, scarf, or cloth mask. The covering does not refer to a medical mask or respirator.
Footnote
*This recommendation will prevent most but may not prevent all instances of secondary spread. The risk of transmission after recovery, is likely substantially less than that during illness.
**All test results should be final before isolation is ended. Testing guidance is based upon limited information and is subject to change as more information becomes available.
Discontinuation of Isolation for Persons with COVID-19 Not in Healthcare Settings (Interim Guidance)
Your Content Goes Here
The information on this page has been provided by the CDC. It is subject to change at any time without notice. No warranty or guarantee is provided for the information. The most up to date information is always available directly from the CDC.
Retrieved: 4/5/2020