As hospitalizations continue to rise daily, public health reminded during a press briefing on Friday that people who show symptoms of COVID should remain in isolation, even if their rapid test is negative.
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“We must continue to isolate ourselves as long as we have symptoms of COVID” due to possible false negatives, explained the microbiologist and clinical expert in support of the scientific management of the pandemic of the Ministry of Health, Jean Longtine.
“When you have a negative test, you have to repeat it 24 to 36 hours later. The sensitivity of the test is not due to the kit itself, but to the behavior of the virus in our airways. The virus reaches its peak on day 3-4. The more virus in our saliva and nasal passages, the better the test performance will be. So if people do the test too early, and don’t repeat it, it can be a cause of false negatives,” explains Jean Longtin.
So, as long as someone has symptoms of COVID, they should continue to self-isolate until they get two time-shifted negative tests.
In addition, pharmacist Diane Lamarre reminded Mario Dumont during her segment of the rules of isolation when contracting COVID.
“Isolation should be 10 days. Isolation is five days at home, but the other five days poses so many constraints that most people cannot respect the conditions of a return to work, ”she explains.
In the following five days, you must wear the mask at all times, respect a distance of 2 meters at all times, and never be in contact with vulnerable people.
“You can’t go back to work at the grocery store, you can’t go back to work in an environment where you meet people. You need to watch your symptoms. In addition, we now add that if it is not essential work, if we are able to telecommute. We stay at home,” insists Diane Lamarre.