Categories
Exposure, Screening, Isolation and Quarantine

Criteria for Discontinuation of Isolation Precautions

CDC has released non-test-based criteria for discontinuation of home isolation and criteria for return to work for healthcare personnel with confirmed or suspected COVID-19. The non-test-based strategies include:

  • 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.

For hospitalized patients with COVID-19, test-based criteria for discontinuation of transmission-based precautions is available on the CDC website here. Guidance is also available for “Discontinuation of In-Home Isolation for Immunocompromised Persons with COVID-19”.