The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has concluded the transmission of COVID occurs in the first couple of days before symptoms appear and the two to three days that follow. The CDC now recommends infected people isolate for five days instead of 10. If asymptomatic or as symptoms begin to go away without fever for 24-hours, wearing a mask around others for an additional five days is recommended.
For anyone unvaccinated exposed to COVID-19 or who have gone more than six months without receiving their second dose, the CDC says a five-day quarantine is best followed by the five-day mask rule. For the fully vaccinated and boosted testing and mask wearing is advised.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services along with the Kent County Health Department have endorsed the recommendations. However, neither department is prescribing a change for K-12 students. In early August, it was determined students and staff testing positive should isolate for 10 days. The order remains in effect. It also advises a 10-day quarantine for close contact cases.