How long to isolate for?

sharky86

Partner tested positive for covid and has symptoms. She has been isolating in the bedroom now for a 8 days. My question is how long does she have to isolate for? HSE said 10 days but does she need to a get a follow up pcr test or antigen test etc?

Both of us are fully vaccinated and I have tested negative with 3/4 antigen tests over the last week

dobman88

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058217453/how-long-to-isolate-for

Nope, no follow up test or anything. 10 days after positive test and thats it. She would likely test positive after the 10 days as its still in the system but she will no longer spread it

ProfessorPlum

It's 10 days, or 5 days since being fever free, whichever is the longest.

https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/covid19/restricted-movements/how-to-self-isolate

No requirement for a negative test to end isloation. PCR will remain positive for sometime, antigen will only be positive if she is likely to still be contagious.

sharky86

Thanks for the replies guys, no fever at all over the last 9 days, guess she might be ok to stretch the legs tomorrow so. I might continue to avoid her for a little longer :)

job seeker

This is a quote from the HSE website.

In most cases, you can stop self-isolation if you have had no fever for 5 days and it has been 10 days since you first developed symptoms.

https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/health/covid19/covid19_isolation_and_restricting.html

My question is why is it 10 days though?

What's the 10 days based on or What's the sciences behind it?

Thanks. 😊

Lumen

@job seeker wrote

What's the 10 days based on or What's the sciences behind it?

Evidence summary for the duration of infectiousness in those that test positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA

Published: 15 September 2020

https://www.hiqa.ie/sites/default/files/2020-09/Evidence-summary-for-duration-of-infectiousness-of-SARS-CoV-2.pdf

And relatedly

Evidence summary for the incubation period of COVID-19, or time to first positive test, in individuals exposed to SARS-CoV-2

Published: 4 November 2020

https://www.hiqa.ie/sites/default/files/2020-11/Evidence-summary-for-the-incubation-period-of-COVID-19.pdf

ProfessorPlum

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118196908#Comment_118196908

The 10 days was based on contact tracing studies (ie when was transmission occurring from positive cases) and viral culture studies (how long were viral titres likely to remain infectious) Based on original 'wild' type virus, probably different for Delta.

quartz1

If you are double vaccinated but a close contact and symptom free whats the official position now

ProfessorPlum

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118201416#Comment_118201416

You should be contacted by the HSE and sent 3 antigen tests to do, every second day, over 5 days (1, 3, 5)

If you are a household contact, in addition you should restrict your movements until your 3rd negative antigen test.

oopsies

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118155513#Comment_118155513

What about if you still have a cough/sore throat/headaches etc? Is it just a fever that means you could still be contagious?

We have a work collegue due back into the office tomorrow after 10 days off after a positive test and shes still coughing a lot! Girl beside her the same, but still has a cold. Both tested positive on the same day.

ProfessorPlum

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118211789#Comment_118211789

The HSE advice is only regarding a fever, so there is no reference to other symptoms, even though many Covid +ve never have a fever at all.

The CDC (USA) is no fever and other symptoms improving - which makes a lot of sense. Many people will have some persistent symptoms but will not be contagious, but improving symptoms suggests the immune system is getting the better of the virus, not the other way around!

A negative antigen test would be a good marker that your colleague is not longer contagious.