Paxlovid is effective for treating COVID-19. Why is it underused?
The drug, Paxlovid, an oral antiviral treatment made by Pfizer, is lauded by experts as a powerful tool to prevent severe outcomes of COVID-19.
Individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 or believe they have contracted the virus but have yet to test for it are still being advised by the CDC to isolate − but for a shorter period.
These are the current guidelines from federal and local Arizona health agencies regarding the coronavirus.
This could change as the Washington Post first reported in early February about plans from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to drop the five-day isolation period that has been in place since 2021. The proposed new guidelines would mean that individuals would no longer be advised to isolate before returning to school or work. The proposal would rather align COVID-19 with the isolation recommendations for influenza or other respiratory viruses.
California and Oregon have already made similar changes to their guidelines in January 2024.
However, the agency has yet to confirm the report and no changes to current guidelines have been made.
If an individual believes that they may have COVID-19 or has tested positive for the virus, here is what they are advised to do:
What are the CDC’s COVID-19 isolation guidelines?
The CDC’s COVID-19 isolation recommendations have been unchanged since 2021 when the agency scaled down the recommended isolation period length.
The agency advises individuals who test positive for the disease to stay home for at least five days to reduce the chances of being contagious and spreading the virus to others. For individuals who have yet to test positive, the agency also recommends isolating.
The CDC’s website makes note that individuals are in their most infectious period in the first five days and lists some ways to prevent spread:
- Wear a high-quality mask if you must be around others at home and in public.
- Do not go places where you are unable to wear a mask. For travel guidance, see CDC’s Travelers’ webpage.
- Do not travel.
- Stay home and separate from others as much as possible.
- Use a separate bathroom, if possible.
- Take steps to improve ventilation at home, if possible.
- Don’t share personal household items, like cups, towels and utensils.
- Monitor your symptoms. If you have an emergency warning sign (like trouble breathing), seek emergency medical care immediately.
- Learn more about what to do if you have COVID-19.
It’s a ‘tripledemic’: What to do if you have COVID, the flu or RSV
What are Arizona’s isolation guidelines for people with COVID-19?
Arizona’s Department of Health Services released guidance for when individuals may be released from a quarantine or isolation period after exposure to COVID-19. They advise that precautions should be made based on “a person’s symptoms and clinical testing.”
The Maricopa County of Public Health released a document with guidance on isolation. It was last revised in January 2022. The county includes a flow chart in the document that may help individuals best make decisions based on their symptoms and test results.
The document notes, “Isolation is for people who have tested positive or have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 and are waiting to be tested or diagnosed.”
Raphael Romero Ruiz, engagement reporter, wrote this newsletter. Reach him at [email protected] or on Twitter at @raphaeldelag.
