CDC shortens isolation time for health care workers who test positive for COVID-19 as Omicron surge threatens hospital staffing

The CDC is shortening the recommended isolation time for health care workers who test positive for COVID-19 from 10 days to seven days, as long as they don't have symptoms. The decision was motivated in part by health officials' concerns that infections from the more transmissible Omicron variant could worsen staffing shortages at hospitals nationwide.

In its guidance, the CDC says infected workers who are asymptomatic can return to work after seven days with a negative test. It added that employers could further reduce the isolation period if there are staffing shortages. 

The CDC also said health care workers who are fully vaccinated, including a booster, do not need to quarantine at home following high-risk exposures.