US CDC no longer recommends quarantining students for exposure to COVID-19
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will no longer recommend quarantines or testing programs to stay in schools or day care centers for people exposed to COVID-19, the agency said in updated guidelines Thursday.
The agency also said it would no longer recommend quarantining unvaccinated people after exposure, since about 95% of the US population has been vaccinated, already had COVID-19, or both.
“This guidance acknowledges that the pandemic is not over, but it also helps us get to a point where COVID-19 is no longer severely disrupting our daily lives,” a CDC scientist said in a statement.
The CDC said it had updated its recommendations that people exposed to COVID-19 should wear a high-quality mask for 10 days and get tested on the fifth day after exposure, regardless of vaccination status.
385 people in hospital with COVID-19, 28 deaths in 7 days
The number of people in BC hospitals with COVID-19 has fallen below 400, according to the most recent data from the BC Center for Disease Control.
On Thursday, 385 people were in hospital with the virus, fewer than in July, when the figure was around 400.
Of the 385 patients, 23 are in critical care.
The BCCDC, which releases the latest COVID-19 data every Thursday, said there were 173 hospital admissions between July 31 and August 6, a dramatic decrease of nearly 45 percent from the 312 in the last week.
During the same seven-day period, 900 new cases were reported in BC, up from 983.
However, the figure is an inaccurate reflection of the actual number of COVID-19 cases in BC, as most people cannot access PCR tests. Positive test results from rapid test kits used at home are not included in the official figures.
The new infections bring the total number of BC cases to 380,174. During the same week, 28 people died within 30 days of a positive COVID-19 test. By comparison, 54 people died the previous week. The deaths bring BC’s death toll from the virus to 3,995.
—Cheryl Chan
What are BC’s current public health measures?
CARE HOMES: There are no capacity restrictions for visitors to long-term care and assisted living facilities for the elderly, however, visitors must show proof of immunizations prior to visiting. Waivers are available for children under the age of 12, those with a medical waiver, and visitors attending compassionate end-of-life visits.
Visitors to nursing homes should also take a rapid antigen test before visiting the facility or get tested upon arrival. Testing waivers are available for those attending compassionate visitation or end-of-life care.
How do I get vaccinated in BC?
Anyone who lives in BC and is eligible for a vaccine can get one by following these steps:
• Register online at gov.bc.ca/getvaccinated to book an appointment in your community.
• Or, if you prefer, you can register and then visit a drop-in clinic at your health authority.
• The system will notify you when it is time to go for your second dose.
• The same system will also notify you when it is time for your booster dose.
Where can I get a COVID-19 test?
TEST CENTERS: Currently, BC’s COVID-19 Test Collection Centers only test those with symptoms who are hospitalized, pregnant, considered high-risk, or live/work with high-risk individuals. You can find a testing center using the BC Center for Disease Control test center map.
If you have mild symptoms, you do not need a test and should stay home until your fever is gone. Those without symptoms do not need a test.
TAKE HOME RAPID ANTIGEN TESTS: Eligible British Columbians over the age of 18 with a Personal Health Number can visit a pharmacy to receive a free take-home test kit containing five rapid COVID-19 antigen tests.
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