On August 11, 2022, the CDC updated its COVID-19 guidance as the risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID exposure has significantly declined. This Legal Update is primarily focused on the legal compliance obligations for private sector employers. The CDC will issue more specific guidance for specific industries and settings, such as healthcare, congregate settings with higher risk of transmission, and travel. von Briesen's School Law Section will be issuing a legal update with recommendations for schools.
Under the updated guidance, individual quarantine is no longer recommended for individuals with known exposure to COVID-19, unless the exposed individual is sick with COVID-19, has COVID-19 symptoms and suspects COVID-19, or tests positive. While such “close contacts” were previously subject to a quarantine period, the CDC now recommends “high-quality” masking for the 10-day period from the known exposure, with testing recommended on day 5. Should a positive test occur, the individual is subject to the isolation protocols. In addition to the relaxed quarantine guidance, the screening guidance is also modified: The CDC will no longer recommend general screening absent symptoms or known exposures.
In the application of the CDC guidance, the “isolation” period for exposed individuals no longer carries with it a recommendation of isolation absent a showing of illness by the exposed individual and a positive test. Rather, the individual can continue with...
Alex Murdaugh's defense team and state prosecutors are engaged in a contentious dispute over evidence ahead of his murder retrial. The defense claims prosecutors are withholding complete cell pho...