Isolation for Covid patients: How long is long enough?

[reader]

From The Nation

With most vaccinated people developing none or very mild symptoms when infected by the Omicron variant of Covid-19, many are choosing to stay isolated at home.

However, how long should the infected stay isolated to ensure they are free of the virus and can safely interact with others?

In a Facebook post on Monday, leading virologist Dr Yong Poovorawan said studies show that the virus count starts to drop sharply seven days after the symptoms are first observed.

The studies cited have been published in the Journal of the American Medical Association and New England Journal of Medicine.

“After 10 days, the viral load will be extremely low and too weak to be transmitted to others. Hence, the suitable period for self-isolation is at least 10 days from when the symptoms appeared or when you tested positive,” Yong said. “If you can’t complete the 10-day requirement, then at least isolate for seven days and then employ strict preventive measures when interacting with others in the following three days to prevent the spread of the virus.”

 

 

 

[TMax]

Most of my friends that caught it isolated for 7 days or until they tested negative at least twice, for most of them 7 days seemed to be about the right time but a couple didn't test negative until 14 days later (probably still just shedding the dead virus cells). 

[unicorn]

According to the latest CDC guidelines:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/isolation.html

If you had no symptoms

You may end isolation after day 5.

 

 

If you had symptoms and:

 

Your symptoms are improving

You may end isolation after day 5 if:

• You are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication).

 

Your symptoms are not improving

Continue to isolate until:

• You are fever-free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medication).
• Your symptoms are improving. ¹

[Keithambrose]

In UK, 5 days became the norm. Problem with fever, or symptoms, is you may have neither. I tested positive after two friends tested positive, but I had no fever or symptoms!

[unicorn]

33 minutes ago, Keithambrose said:

In UK, 5 days became the norm. Problem with fever, or symptoms, is you may have neither. I tested positive after two friends tested positive, but I had no fever or symptoms!

If you had no symptoms

You may end isolation after day 5.