CDC shortens quarantine period for healthcare workers

Health workers can return to work seven days after testing positive for COVID and after five days if there is a staffing shortage.

By Madeleine Hubbard

Published: December 23, 2021 6:56pm

Updated: December 23, 2021 7:08pm

Healthcare workers who test positive for COVID-19 are no longer required to isolate for ten days according to new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

COVID positive staffers can now return to work after seven days if they test negative and are symptom-free. In times of severe staffing shortages, quarantine time may be reduced to five days.

The CDC's change is in preparation for an omicron wave.

"Our goal is to keep healthcare personnel and patients safe, and to address and prevent undue burden on our healthcare facilities," CDC Director Rochelle Walensky stated. "Our priority, remains prevention—and I strongly encourage all healthcare personnel to get vaccinated and boosted."