CDC Updated COVID-19 Guidance for Institutions of Higher Education

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) just updated its COVID-19 guidance for Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs).  The guidance “supplements and does not replace any federal, state, tribal, local, or territorial health and safety laws, rules, and regulations with which IHEs must comply.”  Indoor masking in public is recommended for everyone in areas of “substantial or high transmission.”  [See the CDC COVID Data Tracker – “Substantial” is 50-99.99 new cases per 100,000 persons in the past 7 days, and “High” is 100 or more new cases per 100,000 persons in the past 7 days.]   For those exposed to COVID-19, it is recommended there be a minimum 5-day isolation for everyone, and a minimum 5-day quarantine for those not up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines.  Shared housing (eg, dormitories) “is considered a lower risk congregate setting due to the lower risk of severe health outcomes (such as hospitalizations and death) associated with young adults.”  Therefore, CDC recommends shared housing “follow general public guidance for quarantine and isolation.”  See the CDC Guidance pages for more information.