Close contacts of COVID-19 cases don't need to self-isolate: BCCDC
The B.C. Centre for Disease Control has changed its guidelines on self-isolation and managing COVID-19 at home as the Omicron variant of concern continues to surge in the province.
On Wednesday, the BCCDC updated its guidelines, which included changes to self-isolation directions.
The BCCDC says that close contacts of COVID-19 cases no longer have to self-isolate, regardless of vaccination status.
However, people who are close contacts of confirmed COVID-19 cases should still monitor for symptoms, as should everyone in B.C., says the BCCDC. The organization adds that anyone who feels unwell should stay at home.
Other changes to the province's self-isolation guidelines include details on the length of self-isolation.
The BCCDC says that anyone who is fully vaccinated, or under the age of 18, who tests positive for COVID-19 should self-isolate at home for five days – and until symptoms improve and you no longer have a fever.
After self-isolating for five days, the BCCDC says you should avoid non-essential visits to high-risk settings, such as care homes, for another five days.
If you are unvaccinated and 18 years of age or older, you must self-isolate for 10 days and until your symptoms improve and you no longer have a fever, says the BCCDC.
"These changes are a step toward enabling British Columbians to self-manage their illness and will help guide their actions to limit the spread of illness in our communities," said the BCCDC in a statement Thursday.
"Public health guidance always strives to strike a balance between preventing infection and limiting the harms caused by preventing people from participation in societal activities like working, going to school and socializing."
The BCCDC says the updated guidance comes as the "highly-transmissible" Omicron variant sweeps through the province, requiring a dynamic response to public health guidelines.
The B.C. Centre for Disease Control expects further changes to public health guidelines to take place in the coming weeks.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.