September 21, 2026- The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) updated its Viral Respiratory Infection guidance for managing healthcare personnel with a suspected or confirmed viral respiratory infection such as COVID-19, influenza, RSV, parainfluenza, rhinovirus, and more, according to the CDC. Changes include healthcare personnel with suspected or confirmed respiratory infection should stay out of work for at least three days after the onset of symptoms, be fever free for 24 hours, and feel well enough to return to work.
Healthcare staff should also wear source control upon return to work until at least the end of day seven, where the day of symptom onset (or first positive test if asymptomatic throughout their infection) is day zero. The CDC formerly required personnel with COVID-19 to remain out of work for at least seven days with a negative test or 10 days without testing.