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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) new guidance for preventing respiratory virus diseases
• CDC has included COVID-19 in the new guidance because effective vaccines, treatments, and widespread immunity to SARS-CoV-2 have contributed to lower rates of severe disease and death. COVID-19 also shares risk factors and prevention strategies with other respiratory virus diseases.
• This is intended to replace PA-HAN 656.
• The new guidance recommends that people ill with COVID-19 stay home and isolate from others until they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours (without using fever-reducing medication) and their symptoms are improving overall. This is a significant change from previous COVID-19 guidance, which recommended 5 days of isolation regardless of fever or symptom status.
• The new guidance applies to the public as well as congregate settings like non-healthcare portions of correctional facilities and shelters. Although CDC has not yet released updated guidance for schools, institutes of higher education, and childcare facilities, these facilities should begin following the new isolation guidance. This new guidance does NOT apply to healthcare facilities.
• Providers are asked to strongly encourage vaccination for respiratory virus diseases, prescribe recommended antiviral treatments when appropriate, and promote prevention strategies in their patient populations.
• Laboratory-confirmed influenza and RSV are reportable to PA DOH via PA-NEDSS. COVID-19 is still reportable in some PA counties and can still be reported to PA DOH. All outbreaks are still reportable to PA DOH. All facilities are reminded to be aware of and adhere to all local, state, and federal reporting requirements applicable to them.
