CDPHE updates COVID-19 quarantine and isolation guidance to align with CDC

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment updated guidance to match new recommendations from CDC regarding COVID-19 isolation and quarantine for healthcare workers and the general population.

People who live or work in residential or congregate living settings should continue to follow the isolation and quarantine guidance for their setting to mitigate the risk of transmission within the facility.

This updated guidance reduces the recommended time in isolation for those in the general population with COVID-19 from 10 to five days, if asymptomatic on day five, followed by an additional five days wearing a mask when around others. This change is based on data showing that the majority of COVID-19 transmission occurs early in the course of illness.

For those who have been exposed to COVID-19, CDC now recommends quarantine for five days followed by mask use for an additional five days for people who are unvaccinated or are more than six months out from their second Pfizer or Moderna dose (or more than two months after the J&J vaccine) and have not yet received a third dose (or second dose if receiving J&J). Alternatively, for those persons for whom a five days quarantine is not feasible, wearing  a well-fitting mask around others for ten days is acceptable.  People who have recently completed their primary vaccination series (within six months of their second dose of Pfizer or Moderna, or within two months of their J&J dose) or who have received their third dose (or second dose if receiving J&J) do not need to quarantine following an exposure, but should wear a mask for 10 days after the exposure.  Regardless of vaccination status, CDC recommends testing on day 5 after exposure or immediately if symptoms develop.

The new guidance also recommends asymptomatic health care providers who have received all recommended vaccines — three doses of Pfizer or Moderna, or one dose of J&J with a second dose more than two months after the initial vaccine — no longer need to be excluded from work after a higher-risk COVID-19 exposure. Residential care facility staff should continue to follow current CDPHE guidance, when applicable.

Colorado has seen a rapid increase in COVID-19 cases and high community transmission as the omicron variant becomes the prevalent virus circulating.  Protect yourself and your family by getting vaccinated, wearing a mask in public, washing your hands, and testing before you gather with others.

Continue to stay up to date by visiting covid19.colorado.gov.