Asymptomatic Americans will now spend only five days in quarantine after their positive tests, U.S. health officials announced on Monday

While America is seeing rising number of Covid-19 cases since the start of the month now, US health officials announced on Monday new quarantine changes for the asymptomatic cases.

According to the announcement, those who will test positive on Covid-19, but won’t show any symptoms of the virus will have to spend only five days in quarantine, down from ten. Additionally, their close contacts will also have to spend less time in quarantine.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the decision came after many studies have shown that those positive with the virus are the most infectious two days before and three days after they develop symptoms, if any.

However, the recent surge in cases which is expected to additionally continue in the upcoming period also put pressure on the official to consider this decision.

Early research suggests omicron may cause milder illnesses than earlier versions of the coronavirus. But the sheer number of people becoming infected — and therefore having to isolate or quarantine — threatens to crush the ability of hospitals, airlines and other businesses to stay open, experts say.

Multiple health experts advise that the number of Omicron cases in United States will literally explode in the period after the New Year. CDC Director Rochelle Walensky agrees with this and she also believes that there will be a lot of Omicron cases in the upcoming weeks, and maybe months.

“Not all of those cases are going to be severe. In fact many are going to be asymptomatic,” she told The Associated Press on Monday. “We want to make sure there is a mechanism by which we can safely continue to keep society functioning while following the science.”

Early last week, CDC loosened the restrictions for the positive cases in healthcare workers to 10 days isolation once they test positive. Those who won’t develop symptoms could get back to work just seven days after their positive test. If there are additional staffing shortages in some areas, this period might be cut to only five days.

The change is aimed at people who are not experiencing symptoms. People with symptoms during isolation, or who develop symptoms during quarantine, are encouraged to stay home.

The CDC’s isolation and quarantine guidance has confused the public, and the new recommendations are “happening at a time when more people are testing positive for the first time and looking for guidance,” said Lindsay Wiley, an American University public health law expert.

Nevertheless, the guidance continues to be complex.

Recently, UK also announced they are cutting down the self-isolation period for vaccinated folks who contracted the virus.