The United States is currently experiencing an increase in the omicron variant COVID 19 cases, with over 250,000 people testing positive for COVID every day.
Dr. Walensky Justified The Decision Over The New Quarantine Guidelines
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been taking various steps and measures to curb the rising cases in the United States. The measures are always welcomed by the medical experts and officials in the Country but this time according to some reports, the CDC is under the radar of health care Officials in the country, including the Chief Medical consultant.
Recently, the quarantine period recommendations were revised and reduced to 7 days due to the rise in omicron cases. It has been expected by the medical experts in the US that by the end of March 2022, the country will witness more than 140 million infected patients from both omicron and delta variants.
According to the US CDC guidelines an infected person was required to stay at home for 10 days under isolation. But after suggestions, the CDC has now shortened the time period for the asymptomatic patients to seven days, and further if necessary it will be reduced to 5 days. As per the new guidelines which are really criticized by the health experts in the nation, a person who does not have any COVID symptoms can resume normal life after taking preventive measures and will have to compulsory wear a mask for the next five days.
This decision became very important due to staffing shortages in the various sectors including the healthcare and aviation industry. The CDC made this recommendation after demonstrating that the majority of COVID transmission occurs during the early stages of the illness.
According to CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky, she tried to justify the decision and stated that the authorization has been given keeping in mind the economic and societal concerns. She also stated that society currently demands some level of flexibility to function daily operations effectively.
The statement from Walensky came as the Biden administration began to implement new guidelines and additional restrictions to reduce the number of COVID cases in the United States caused by the Omicron variant.
Many health experts which are in favor of such a bold decision are stating that a shorter quarantine period is reasonable at this time because the new guidance is problematic. If people do not take care of it, this will lead to an increase in COVID cases.
Also, the new guidelines from the CDC also stated that the infected person after getting negative reports can resume work normally and must wear masks for five days after being released from quarantine.
Dr. Anthony Fauci has also criticized such a move from the CDC and has asked for a proper table meeting to discuss the pros and cons. Some medical scholars believe that the administration is prioritizing economic normalcy over the safety of those who may become infected by asymptomatic coworkers after they return from isolation and it will further give rise to the virus in the US.
