Jan 7, 2022 - Health

CDC director: New K-12 isolation guidance will help keep schools open

Kierra Frazier

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters stands in Atlanta, Georgia. — Photo: Elijah Nouvelage/Bloomberg via Getty Images

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's updated isolation guidance for schools will "provide the tools necessary to get these schools reopened for in-person learning," Rochelle Walensky, the agency's director, said on Friday.

Driving the news: The CDC on Thursday updated its guidance for K-12 schools to shorten the isolation time for students, staff and teachers with COVID-19 to at least five days, aligning with recommendations for the general public.

The previous guidance stated that students, staff and teachers should isolate for at least 10 days if infected with COVID-19.
The new guidance also states that children and adults who aren't fully vaccinated and are exposed to COVID-19 should quarantine for at least five days after close contact.
“Our guidance is very clear that you should not leave isolation if you're still symptomatic," she added.

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CDC director: New K-12 isolation guidance will help keep schools open

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