Four years ago today, President Donald Trump declared a National Emergency addressing the COVID 19 outbreak.
There have been millions of infections and deaths across the globe since the first cases were discovered in Wuhan, China in 2019.
Since then, there have been successes, including vaccines for nearly all age groups, the creation of antiviral drugs treating those most at risk, and the release of at-home tests.
Now, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated and simplified respiratory virus recommendations, including COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, and the flu.
During the height of the pandemic, the CDC recommended a five-day isolation period for those testing positive for COVID. Under new guidelines, individuals can return to regular activities if they’ve been fever-free for at least 24 hours without the assistance of fever-reducing medication.
The CDC says that those who decide to end their isolation should continue practicing enhanced hygiene such as wearing masks and social distancing, especially when in contact with people 65 or older.
The new guidance is due to a reduced likelihood of severe illness caused by the current version of the virus thanks to widespread immunity attained through vaccination, prior exposure, or both.
