Contrary to what many might have expected, the CDC has reduced the number of days recommend for people to isolate after being infected with COVID-19 to five days from 10. This is likely due to recent research, improved pandemic-management practices and the hardships experienced by several industries as the Omicron variant continues to spread. Basically, what the CDC is saying is that anyone that is infected with COVID-19 and is asymptomatic can leave isolation after five days; however, should wear masks around other people for an additional five days. Furthermore, with the highly contagious nature of the Omicron variant, anyone exposed to infected individuals should wear a mask for 10 days afterwards, as a precaution.
According to the CDC, most of the COVID-19 transmission occurs early in the course of the illness, typically within the 1 or 2 days prior to onset of symptoms and then 2-3 days thereafter. While current infection rates are high, hospitalizations and deaths are very low (in comparison to the prior virus variants).
Countless reports suggest that the Omicron variant is less severe than the first two waves of the virus; however, its adversely impacting many businesses as infected workers stay home. If white collar employees can work online during the abbreviated isolation period, that’s fine, but for blue and gray collared employees that doesn’t work. As a result, many businesses are extremely shorthanded and stressed. Let’s hope this reduced isolation period can provide those businesses with some sort of relief.
As we all make our way through this current wave of the virus, some members of the medical community are predicting that the virus will now begin to fade away. Some are predicting that the Omicron variant will peak on or about January 9th.
Next week is big as we expect a determination from the U.S. Supreme Court as to whether the vaccine mandate for large employers is permissible or not. Standby for more updates from LLRG.
