Covid-19: know how many days to stay in isolation in the current phase of the pandemic

Brazil has again recorded an increase in cases of Covid-19 in recent weeks.

It is estimated that the introduction of a more transmissible subvariant of Omicron, BQ.1, could be behind the new wave of coronavirus infections.

Among the prevention and control measures recommended by the Ministry of Health are those called non-pharmacological, such as physical distancing, respiratory etiquette, hand hygiene, use of masks, cleaning and disinfection of environments, isolation of suspected and confirmed cases, as well as the Quarantine your contacts.

Difference between isolation and quarantine

Isolation and quarantine are public health strategies that aim to protect the population and prevent the spread of contagious diseases, such as Covid-19.

Isolation is the separation of infected from non-infected individuals during the period of disease transmissibility, when it is possible to transmit the virus in conditions to infect another person.

Quarantine, on the other hand, is a recommended preventive measure to restrict the movement of people who have been exposed to a contagious disease during the period in which they can become ill, according to the Ministry of Health.

How long to remain in isolation for Covid-19

Guidelines on the period of isolation vary according to the presentation of symptoms and results of diagnostic tests. For people with mild to moderate flu syndrome – with confirmation of Covid-19 by clinical or laboratory criteria or who have not yet collected a sample for investigation, isolation and precautionary measures must start immediately and can only be suspended after 10 days from the date of onset of symptoms, provided they remain without fever and without the use of antipyretic drugs for at least 24 hours and with disappearance of respiratory symptoms.

According to the Ministry of Health, those who carry out testing (RT-PCR or rapid antigen test) for Covid-19 with negative result on the 5th day will be able to come out of isolation, before the seven day deadline since no respiratory symptoms and fever for at least 24 hours and without the use of antipyretics. If the result is positive, it is necessary to remain in isolation for 10 days from the onset of symptoms.

those who don’t 7th day still have symptoms, must carry out the test 🇧🇷 If the result is negative, the person must wait 24 hours without respiratory symptoms and fever, and without the use of antipyretics, to get out of isolation 🇧🇷 As positive diagnosis shall be isolation maintained for at least 10 days counted from the onset of symptoms, being released from isolation as long as they do not have respiratory symptoms and fever, and without the use of antipyretics, for at least 24 hours.

Reduced insulation

The period of home respiratory isolation can be shortened in the following situations:

Scene 1: isolation may be suspended on the 7th full day of the onset of symptoms if the patient has no fever and has not used antipyretics for at least 24 hours and with remission of symptoms, without the need to perform a molecular diagnostic test (PCR) or antigen. In this case, the additional measures (see below ) until the 10th full day of symptom onset.

Scenario 2: in case of permanence of respiratory symptoms or fever on the 7th full day after the onset of symptoms, isolation must be maintained until the 10th full day of the onset of symptoms. The measure can only be suspended with the cessation of fever and antipyretics for at least 24 hours and with remission of respiratory symptoms.

Scenario 3: if the individual has access to the test, the isolation may be suspended on the 5th full day of the onset of symptoms, under the same conditions regarding fever, use of antipyretics, absence of symptoms, plus the result not detected for molecular diagnosis or non-reagent for rapid test of antigen performed on the 5th complete day of the onset of symptoms. In that case, keep the additional measures up to the 10th full day of symptom onset.

Scenario 4: people without symptoms on the 5th full day of the onset of symptoms and who present a detected result for PCR or a reagent for TR-Ag, the
isolation until the 10th full day of the onset of symptoms and can only be suspended without fever and without antipyretics for 24 hours and with disappearance of symptoms.

Scenario 5: in cases where the individual needs to isolate for 10 full days after the onset of symptoms, it is not necessary to perform a detection test
SARS-CoV-2 to suspend isolation in the absence of fever, without the use of antipyretics and symptoms for 24 hours.

Additional measures recommended by the Ministry of Health

• Wear a well-fitting mask, preferably surgical or PFF2/N95, at home or in public
• Avoid contact with immunocompromised people or who have risk factors for worsening Covid-19, as well as places with crowds of people, such as public transport or where it is not possible to maintain physical distance
• Do not attend places where the mask cannot be worn at all times, such as restaurants and bars; and avoid eating in close proximity to other people both at home and at work, for at least 10 full days after the onset of symptoms
• Do not travel during your isolation period. In case of interrupting the isolation before the 10th day of the beginning, it is advised to carry out the molecular or antigen test and only travel if the result is undetected and if you have no symptoms before the trip. If it is not possible to carry out the test, it is advised to postpone the trip for at least 10 days from the onset of symptoms.

Different methods of diagnosing Covid-19

The laboratory diagnosis of Covid-19 can be performed either by molecular biology tests, serology or rapid tests.

Molecular biology: allows identifying the presence of genetic material (RNA) of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in respiratory secretion samples, using real-time RT-PCR methodologies.

Serology: detects IgM, IgA or IgG antibodies produced by the individual’s immune response to the virus, being able to diagnose active or previous disease.

Quick tests: Two types of rapid tests are available, antigen and antibody. The rapid antigen test detects virus protein in samples collected from the naso/oropharynx, and should be performed in the acute phase of the infection, and the rapid antibody test detects IgM and IgG (convalescent phase) in blood, serum or plasma samples.