As the number of people infected with the omicron variant rises daily across the United States, top federal health officials are pushing for a negative test to be added to a five-day quarantine for asymptomatic coronavirus patients, the chief medical officer said today. of the White House, Anthony Fauci.

He confirmed that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now considering requiring a negative test in addition to five days of isolation for asymptomatic patients, Reuters reports.

Under new guidelines from December 27, isolation for people with COVID-19 is shortened from 10 to five days if they no longer feel symptoms or have a fever.

After this period, they are required to spend the next five days wearing a mask when around other people.

Meanwhile, the guidelines have been criticized by many health professionals, as they do not contain a mandatory negative antigen test as a condition for leaving isolation.