Covid-19: still positive a week after screening, what to do? – LINFO.re

You are positive for the coronavirus, a week after your screening. Should we continue our isolation to avoid spreading the virus? What is the best behavior to have?

“It’s normal and common…”

Dr Benjamin Davido, infectiologist and Covid-19 crisis referent doctor at the Raymond-Poincaré hospital in Garches (Hauts-de-Seine), explained that he had observed numerous asymptomatic or slightly symptomatic contaminations, since the appearance of the disease. variant Omicron.

Aches, fever, cough, sore throat and headache, these symptoms are known to everyone. In recent months, however, the loss of smell and taste has not been observed until the arrival of the variant of coronavirus BA.5. Symptoms last longer for BA.5, seven days versus 4 to 5 for BA.2. “This is normal and common: around 20 to 30% of patients are still positive one week after their screening.“, noted the president of the Union of Biologists, Dr. François Blanchecotte.

The virus stays for a long time

The biologist explained that the new variant of coronavirus affects the upper airways and remains in excretion for quite a long time. “Even several days after testing positive, one may still have virus RNA fragments in nasal cells“, he added.

Dr Davido, however, stressed that a positive test does not necessarily mean a high viral load. “The tests are only a diagnostic tool, they are not intended to define contagiousness“, he added.
“We are generally super contaminating about 48 hours after contamination, even before having the first symptoms, and this, for three to four days.“, details Dr. Blanchecotte.

Wearing a mask recommended

Dr Davido explained that a person is likely still contagious if they still have symptoms after a week. If you wish to resume your work, it is recommended to wear the mask, both in public transport and in closed spaces.

“On leaving isolation, you must respect the following instructions for 7 days: wear a surgical or general public mask with filtration greater than 90%, respect barrier gestures, reduce your contacts, in particular with people at risk, telework in the possible“, said the SMS sent to the insured who tested positive.

> To read also: Covid-19: what we know about the return of the mask in France and abroad

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