Between days seven and nine we can be more contagious than in the first days of the infection, according to a study.
After testing positive for coronavirus, the main recommendation is that the person isolates themselves to avoid spreading the disease to others. Currently, in many countries, the number of days that people must quarantine when they have been infected with covid-19 has been reduced. Many, like Spain, the United States, or Chile, have reduced from 10 to 7 or 5 days, depending on the patient’s condition.
This is due to the fact that the new cases seem to have a shorter incubation period and the manifestation of symptoms and because the significant increase in cases also translated into a considerable increase in sick leave.
In that country, people can only be released from isolation after being isolated for 5 full days and if they test negative on two tests, done on both day 5 and day 6, and do not have a fever.
“People who still test positive on their rapid lateral flow tests should remain in isolation until they have had 2 consecutive negative tests taken on separate days,” a UK Health Security Agency post mentions.
Both the UK Health Security Agency, the Spanish Ministry of Health, and health entities in other countries recommend staying in isolation while you continue to test positive and only leaving once you have tested negative in a reliable test.
This is mainly because, according to a study by the National Institute of Infectious Diseases of Japan, between days seven and nine we can be more contagious than in the first days of the infection. While on the first and second day of the onset of symptoms due to the omicron variant, only 12.5% can spread the disease, between the seventh and ninth day around 18.8% can do so, making it essential to stay in quarantine so as not to spread the disease, it is stated in an ABC publication.
Other recommendations
The United Kingdom Health Security Agency also recommends following the following measures to stop infections:
- Stay home if you don’t feel well.
- Get tested if you experience any symptoms of covid-19.
- Covering your face is closed and crowded spaces.
- Work from home, if possible.
- Maintain social distancing and regular hand washing.
- Get vaccinated, if you haven’t already.
