A message from Health Services

March 18, 2024

URI Health Services has announced that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently changed its isolation guidance for COVID-19 infections. This guidance provides practical recommendations and information to help people at a lower risk for a range of common respiratory viral illnesses, including COVID-19, flu, and RSV.  There is no longer a mandatory five-day isolation period after a COVID-19 infection. 

The CDC now says people with these types of illnesses should stay home until they have been fever-free without medication for at least 24 hours and their symptoms have been improving. Once feeling better, people may resume normal activities. However, they do recommend that people take additional precautions for the next five days. This includes improving ventilation, masking, and limiting close contact with others — especially those with special medical considerations or people with certain risk factors for severe illness including the elderly, immunocompromised individuals, young children, and pregnant people. For more information, see the updated CDC guidelines.