CDC Defends New COVID Guidance as Doctors Raise Concerns

Jan. 5, 2022 – The CDC’s just lately up to date steering on isolating and testing have been tied to the general public’s elevated curiosity in testing, Director Rochelle Walenksy, MD, mentioned throughout a White House briefing in Wednesday.

Health officers just lately shortened the beneficial COVID-19 isolation and quarantine interval from 10 days to five, creating confusion amid an outbreak of the extremely transmissible Omicron variant, which now accounts for 95% of instances within the U.S.

Then, in barely up to date steering, the CDC beneficial utilizing an at-home antigen take a look at after 5 days of isolation if potential, regardless that these exams aren’t as delicate to the Omicron variant, in keeping with the FDA.

“After we released our recs early last week, it became very clear people were interested in using the rapid test, though not authorized for this purpose after the end of their isolation period,” Walensky mentioned. “We then provided guidance on how they should be used.”

“If that test is negative, people really do need to understand they must continue to wear their mask for those 5 days,” Walensky mentioned.

But for a lot of, the CDC pointers stay murky and appear to all the time change.

“Nearly 2 years into this pandemic, with Omicron cases surging across the country, the American people should be able to count on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for timely, accurate, clear guidance to protect themselves, their loved ones, and their communities,” American Medical Association president Gerald Harmon, MD, mentioned in a press release. “Instead, the new recommendations on quarantine and isolation are not only confusing, but are risking further spread of the virus.”

About 31% of individuals stay infectious 5 days after a optimistic COVID-19 take a look at, Harmon mentioned, quoting the CDC’s personal rationale for altering its steering.

“With hundreds of thousands of new cases daily and more than a million positive reported cases on January 3, tens of thousands – potentially hundreds of thousands of people – could return to work and school infectious if they follow the CDC’s new guidance on ending isolation after 5 days without a negative test,” he mentioned. “Physicians are concerned that these recommendations put our patients at risk and could further overwhelm our health care system.”

Instead, Harmon mentioned a damaging take a look at must be required for ending isolation.

“Reemerging without knowing one’s status unnecessarily risks further transmission of the virus,” he mentioned.

Meanwhile, additionally in the course of the White House briefing, officers mentioned that early knowledge continues to point out that Omicron infections are much less extreme than these from different variants, however skyrocketing instances will nonetheless put a pressure on the well being care system.

“The big caveat is we should not be complacent,” presidential Chief Medical Adviser Anthony Fauci, MD, mentioned.

He added that Omicron “could still stress our hospital system because a certain proportion of a large volume of cases, no matter what, are going to be severe.”

Cases proceed to extend tremendously. This week’s 7-day each day common of infections is 491,700 — a rise of 98% over final week, Walensky mentioned. Hospitalizations, whereas lagging behind case numbers, are nonetheless rising considerably: The each day common is 14,800 admissions, up 63% from final week. Daily deaths this week are 1,200, a rise of solely 5%.

Walensky continues to encourage vaccinations, boosters, and different precautions.

“Vaccines and boosters are protecting people from the severe and tragic outcomes that can occur from COVID-19 infection,” she mentioned. “Get vaccinated and get boosted if eligible, wear a mask, stay home when you’re sick, and take a test if you have symptoms or are looking for greater reassurance before you gather with others.”