COVID-19 Isolation Guidance Changes
Information for Local Public Health
2-19-24
BACKGROUND
The landscape of COVID-19 has transformed significantly since its onset, with substantial immunity developed through natural infection and/or vaccination, alongside advancements in available treatment options for infected people. These developments have contributed to a decrease in hospitalization and mortality rates than prior winter seasons during the pandemic.
Given these changes, there was a need to revise isolation guidelines to reflect the current understanding of the virus’s transmission and impact. This shift in guidance acknowledges that COVID-19 still has the potential to cause serious disease, but also aims to minimize the disruptive nature and impact of isolation in schools and workplaces. COVID-19 infections can be mildly symptomatic or asymptomatic and many people are no longer testing and are not aware of what infection they may have.
ISOLATION CHANGES
A symptom-based approach to isolation is consistent with other viral respiratory infection recommendations. This change provides for a unified exclusion criterion based on individuals with respiratory symptoms, irrespective of the underlying virus (COVID-19, influenza, etc.).
- The recommendation for those with respiratory symptoms (not just those with COVID-19) is to be excluded until fever-free for 24 hours without the use of a fever reducing medication AND respiratory symptoms are mild and improving.
- The Child Illnesses And Exclusion Criteria for Education and Child Care Settings document has been modified to incorporate the new exclusion recommendations.
Scott Seltrecht, MPH
Epidemiologist
Center for Acute Disease Epidemiology (CADE)
Iowa Department of Health and Human Services
321 E. 12th St., Des Moines, IA 50319
515-314-7259 mobile
515-281-5698 fax
