COVID Omicron Updates: CDC issues contingency plan to prevent health care worker

NEW YORK (WABC) — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued an alert to health care professionals across the country to prepare for a possible major surge in infections of COVID-19 due to the high transmissibility of the omicron variant.

Among the CDC’s contingency options is shortening the amount of time health care workers must self-isolate following a COVID-19 infection.

Under “conventional” conditions, health care facilities can allow asymptomatic personnel who were infected with COVID-19 to return to work after seven days and a negative test, regardless of vaccination status, according to the new CDC guidance. For health care personnel who were symptomatic, fever should have resolved without medications.

Under “crisis” conditions, health care workers can return to work after five days, if asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic, as a last resort, without testing, the alert states. These health care personnel should wear a respirator or well-fitting face mask, even when they are in non-patient care areas, and facilities should consider assigning them duties that do not include care of immunocompromised patients.

The plan was put into place to mitigate potential staff shortages, according to the CDC.

ABC News’ Sony Salzman contributed to this report

RELATED: What are the symptoms of the COVID omicron variant?

Here are more of today’s COVID-19 headlines:

US sets shorter isolation rules for health workers
Worried that a new COVID-19 wave could overwhelm understaffed U.S. hospitals, federal officials on Thursday loosened rules that call on health care workers to stay out of work for 10 days if they test positive. Those workers now will be allowed to come back to work after seven days if they test negative and don’t have symptoms. Isolation time can be cut to five days, or even fewer, if there are severe staffing shortages, according to the new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance.

Comptroller Scott Stringer tests positive
New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer, 61, announced Friday he had tested positive for COVID-19 and was experiencing minor symptoms.

“I am grateful for the protection the vaccines and booster have given me, and am luckily only experiencing minor symptoms,” he posted on Twitter. “Please take every precaution-including vaccinations, regular testing and masks. Stay safe New Yorkers.”

Cirque du Soleil cancels remaining “‘Twas the Night Before…” performances
Cirque du Soleil and MSG Entertainment announced Friday that Cirque du Soleil is canceling the five remaining performances of “Twas the Night Before…” at the Hulu Theater at MSG.

“We are sorry to announce that the five remaining performances of ‘Twas the Night Before…’ scheduled for Sunday, December 26 and Monday, December 27 have been canceled due to breakthrough COVID-19 cases in the production,” Cirque du Solei said in a statement. “We apologize for the inconvenience and sincerely thank all the families and fans who made us part of their holiday festivities this season.”

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