On March 1, 2024, the CDC released updated recommendations for protecting people and their communities from respiratory viruses, including COVID-19.

 The new guidance brings a unified approach to addressing risks from common respiratory viral illnesses, such as COVID-19, flu, and RSV, which can cause significant health impacts and strain on hospitals and healthcare workers.

 As part of the guidance, CDC provides active recommendations on core prevention steps and strategies:

• Stay up to date with vaccination to protect people against serious illness, hospitalization, and death. This includes flu, COVID-19, and RSV if eligible.
• Practice good hygiene by covering coughs and sneezes, washing or sanitizing hands often, and cleaning frequently touched surfaces.
• Take steps for cleaner air, such as bringing in more fresh outside air, purifying indoor air, or gathering outdoors.

When people get sick with a respiratory virus, the updated guidance recommends staying home and away from others.

For people with COVID-19 and influenza, treatment is available and can lessen symptoms and lower the risk of severe illness.

The recommendations suggest returning to normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, symptoms are improving overall, and if a fever was present, it has been gone without the use of a fever-reducing medication.

Once people resume normal activities, they are encouraged to take additional prevention strategies for the next five days to curb disease spread, such as:

• Taking more steps for cleaner air.
• Enhance hygiene practices.
• Wear a well-fitting mask.
• Keep a distance from others.
• Get tested for respiratory viruses.

Enhanced precautions are especially important to protect those most at risk for severe illness, including those over 65 and people with weakened immune systems.

• View CDC Updates Press Release, March 1, 2024.
• Respiratory Virus Guidance Update FAQs
• Background for CDC’s Updated Respiratory Virus Guidance