In view of the sharp increase in the number of infections, professor of virology Marion Koopmans of Erasmus MC also thinks that the self-isolation period should be extended.
“With those 72 hours, the pre-symptomatic period is over on average, but that does not apply to 100 percent. However, people in this situation should be advised to have themselves tested again in case of complaints.”
People without complaints are currently not tested, only in special cases. If they observe the measures, it is assumed that they contribute little to the spread of the virus, Koopmans explains.
“Because we see that these general measures are not followed by everyone, everyone who has tested positive must go into isolation for the full ten days if you really want to eliminate all risks.”
Especially because the situation of ‘positive without complaints’ will occur more and more, according to Koopmans, with more and more tests being carried out in all kinds of places. Now that is actually not allowed, but in some cases it still happens. That does mean that even more people will be at home in the future.
Not allowed, will happen
Officially, therefore, no one is allowed to be tested at the GGD without fever or other complaints. But there are already exceptions: for example, in special outbreaks in healthcare, it is done, as well as in top sport. In addition, there are also private clinics where having a fever or other symptoms is not a prerequisite for getting a test. For example, people who have to make a necessary trip to Germany must even show a negative test result at the border, regardless of how they feel.
But it also happens via coronatest.nl, where people make an appointment online at a GGD test site. Nina van Eck (31) from Amsterdam, for example, felt fine, but wanted to have herself tested after her holiday in Ibiza to be sure. That is why she filled in “differently defined complaints” on the form.
‘Very different from those ten days’
Van Eck was tested on October 12 and on October 13 she received the result: positive. “I actually didn’t believe it, because I felt great.” Since she had no symptoms, the GGD emailed her, she was urged to go into self-isolation for at least 72 hours. “That is very different from those ten days that the cabinet only hears about at the press conference.”
In the end, to be on the safe side, she waited an extra week before she came out again. But she fears that younger people who test positive won’t always. “You will only be 21 or 22 years old and think: the weekend is coming, I have spent my three days but I have a little cold, and then meet up with friends.”
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