CDC to Cut COVID-Negative Quarantine Period to 7 Days

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told President Donald Trump's coronavirus task force Tuesday that its new guidance would cut quarantine time for individuals exposed to the virus by as much as half, according to two people familiar with the matter.

The new recommended quarantine would be seven days for those who test negative after exposure to COVID-19, and 10 days for those who do not take a test, said the people, who were granted anonymity to discuss information that has not been made public.

At present, CDC guidelines for people who have been exposed is to "stay home for 14 days after your last contact with a person who has COVID-19."

The CDC's new guidance was reported earlier Tuesday by The New York Times.

Over the weekend, members of the task force appeared on several news programs to promise a swift rollout of coronavirus vaccines by the end of the year.

Healthcare workers and residents at long-term care centers should be first in line for the vaccines, key U.S. government advisers urged Tuesday, citing the high risk for infection within these groups and the positive effects on hospitals.