As of 7/23/20
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Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Updates 7/17-7/23
Duration of Isolation
Duration of Isolation and Precautions for Adults with COVID-19 [CDC reviewed 7/22/20, previously reviewed 7/17/20]
- Accumulating evidence supports ending isolation using symptom-based strategy =
- Concentrations of SARS-CoV-2 RNA measured in upper respiratory specimens decline after onset of symptoms
- Likelihood of recovering replication-competent virus declines after onset of symptoms
- Although-replication-competent virus was not isolated 3 weeks after symptom onset, recovered patients can continue to have SARS-CoV-2 RNA detected in upper respiratory specimens for up to 12 weeks
- Specimens from patients who recovered from COVID-19 illness and subsequently developed new symptoms and retested positive by RT-PCR did not have replication-competent virus detected
- Available data indicate persons with mild to moderate COVID-19 remain infectious no longer than 10 days after symptom onset
- Persons with more severe to critical illness, or severely immunocompromised, likely remain infectious no longer than 20 days after symptom onset
- No evidence that clinically recovered persons with persistent viral RNA have transmitted SARS-CoV-2 to others
- Reinfection has not yet been confirmed
- For persons recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection, positive PCR during 90 days after illness onset more likely represents persistent shedding of viral RNA
- For previously symptomatic COVID-19 individuals who remain asymptomatic after recovery, retesting not recommended within 3 months after date of symptom onset of initial infection; quarantine not recommended in event of close contact with infected person
- Persons who develop new symptoms consistent with COVID-19 during 3 months after date of initial symptom onset may warrant retesting (consultation with infectious disease expert recommended); isolation may be considered
Home Isolation
Discontinuation of Isolation for Persons with COVID-19 Not in Healthcare Settings [CDC reviewed 7/20/20, previously reviewed 7/17/20]
Isolate if You Are Sick [CDC reviewed 7/17/20]
- Test-based strategy no longer recommended to determine when to discontinue home isolation (except in certain circumstances)
- RT-PCR testing for discontinuing isolation could be considered for persons severely immunocompromised, in consultation with infectious disease experts; for all others, test-based strategy no longer recommended except to discontinue isolation earlier than would occur under symptom-based strategy