Twitter Handles of Experts You May Want to Follow
- Michael Mina, Epidemiologist, Immunologist, Pathologist, MD, PhD, @michaelmina_lab
When someone who has been infected with COVID-19 can leave quarantine
It has been confirmed that many people have COVID well after the 5th day of infection. It has also been confirmed that many people are still contagious even though they are asymptomatic. Once a person has become infected, they should remain in quarantine until they have taken a home, rapid antigen test and tested negative. Preferably, that person should take two tests 24 hours apart with good sample collections.
Generally, if a swab of the nostrils is sufficient to pick up enough COVID particles to make a rapid antigen test (RAT) be positive, then air that is being exhaled through the nostrils will also pick up COVID particles that could lead to someone else becoming infected. There may be some overlap where a person is infectious and they would have a negative rapid antigen test.
Misunderstanding – why people say that someone can test positive for COVID after they have recovered
Most people develop virus-specific antigens following a COVID infection. These antigens can be detected in their blood long after they are infectious.
This article explains COVID-19 seroconversion. https://www.news-medical.net/health/What-is-Seroconversion.aspx
Points to make when Advocating for People to test out of infection.
See comments on Discussion Board.
People may be infectious well after 5 days and also while they feel ok and do not have symptoms.
COVID experts disagree with CDC’s guidance which enables people to leave their house after 5 days if they do not have any symptoms. Many think that this guidance is related to the economy.