FORSYTH COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP) — North Carolina’s Department of Health and Human Services COVID-19 dashboard is reporting 702 hospital admissions for the latest week, which is up from 688 the week before.
That’s not stopping proposed new isolation guidelines for the virus, which could mean less time isolating. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is considering the change.
Dr. Christopher Ohl, an infectious disease expert with Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, said this potential change is a sign COVID-19 is entering the world of respiratory viruses like the flu, making it a part of our typical respiratory virus season.
Right now, it’s recommended you stay home for five days after testing positive for COVID-19.
The CDC is considering easing the number of days you would have to isolate if you are positive for the virus.
“Where we normally think about influenza and RSV and all those other cold viruses, just add COVID to the mix,” Dr. Ohl said. “Now, of all our respiratory viruses, COVID is still probably the most serious, particularly for older people and people with underlying health problems. But most of us have some type of immunity now, either through vaccination or from having had the infection before.”