How many times can you test positive for COVID? This is what the experts say – El Financiero

Currently, the coronavirus it has become more adept at reinfecting people. Those who were infected with the first omicron variant are already reporting second infections with the subvariants.

Unlike pre-Omicron viruses, those currently reported seem to have evolved and evaded immunity. That includes everyone, even those who have been vaccinated. According to experts, it is difficult to quantify how often people are re-infected.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stress testing is the best way to diagnose COVID-19; however, they have not been licensed to assess duration of infectivity.

Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady explained to NBC that “If it’s a PCR test, one you get at a doctor’s office, one you get at a testing center, that it doesn’t tell me anything except that you had COVID Not long ago”.

He added that the PCR tests “can remain positive for weekssometimes after having had COVID because it is so sensitive that it can detect even dead viruses.”

The BA.5 subvariant and the COVID tests

Experts have found that the subvariant of omicron BA.5apart from being highly contagious, has caused some Stay positive longer so reinfection can occur even faster.

“We don’t know exactly how soon, but people have been recorded as becoming infected as early as four weeks after having a previous infection,” said Dr. Sharon Welbel, director of hospital epidemiology and infection control. at Cook County Health.

Isolation time with a positive COVID test

According to the CDC guide on COVID-19, it mentions that it is recommended that people who test positive to the virus must self-isolate for five daysafter that period passes if you no longer have no symptoms you can leave the housebut they must wear a mask for at least five additional days.

It is important to note that the CDC has previously stated that people possibly can test positive up to three months later of getting an infection.

“If it’s negative, that’s another bit of information that suggests you’re very unlikely to be contagious at that point. So, you know, no test is 100 percent the same that no vaccine is 100 percent, but that evidence is pretty good,” Arwady concluded.

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