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 =
  1. Concentrations of SARS-CoV-2 RNA measured in upper respiratory specimens decline after onset of symptoms
  2. 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
  3. Available data indicate persons with mild to moderate COVID-19 remain infectious no longer than 10 days after symptom onset
  4. Persons with more severe to critical illness, or severely immunocompromised, likely remain infectious no longer than 20 days after symptom onset
  5. No evidence that clinically recovered persons with persistent viral RNA have transmitted SARS-CoV-2 to others
  6. 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