CDC stops short of requiring test for ending COVID isolation, but says they're the "best approach"

Following days of criticism over the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's decision last week to shorten its recommended isolation period for those who test positive for coronavirus but have no symptoms, the agency now acknowledges that the "best approach" includes seeking out a rapid at-home COVID-19 test before ending isolation. 

"If an individual has access to a test and wants to test, the best approach is to use an antigen test towards the end of the 5-day isolation period. Collect the test sample only if you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication and your other symptoms have improved," the CDC said.

However, the CDC's new recommendations stop short of setting out a requirement for a negative rapid COVID-19 test before leaving the shortened isolation period for those with no symptoms, as some experts have called for.