The United States reached an unpleasant milestone this week in relation to positive COVID-19 cases.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. recorded a single-day record-breaking high of more than 441,000 new cases of COVID-19 on Dec. 27, as the new Omicron strain continues to sweep the country. The previous record was reported back in January, with 298,000 positive cases in a single day.
Since Jan. 2020, the U.S. has documented nearly 53 million cases and more than 816,000 deaths.
Although Coronavirus cases are on the rise, the CDC recently announced that it was shortening the isolation period for those who have the virus and are asymptomatic. As REVOLT previously reported, the CDC says that after an asymptomatic person is quarantined for five days, they are encouraged to wear a mask around people for an additional five days.
The CDC also trimmed the recommended time for people to be isolated if they are exposed to anyone who has COVID-19. If someone is unvaccinated — or vaccinated without a booster shot — health officials suggest five days of quarantine. For those who are vaccinated and boosted, the public health agency said there’s no need to quarantine.
“CDC’s updated recommendations for isolation and quarantine balance what we know about the spread of the virus and the protection provided by vaccination and booster doses,” CDC Director Rochelle Walensky said in a statement. “These updates ensure people can safely continue their daily lives.”
Walensky added, “Prevention is our best option: get vaccinated, get boosted, wear a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial and high community transmission, and take a test before you gather.”
The Omicron strain is showing no signs of slowing down. Last week, the CDC said the new variant accounted for more than 73 percent of new COVID-19 cases in the U.S. and has been found in more than 90 countries. The new positivity rate has also caused thousands of flights to be canceled as people try to travel for the holidays.