Study: Twice as many people transmit COVID on day 5 compared to day 7

Nearly twice as many people continue to transmit the coronavirus on the fifth day after diagnosis and self-isolation, compared to the seventh day. Nearly one in three (31%) is still contagious on the fifth day after a positive diagnostic test, compared with 16% - about one in six - on the seventh day, according to estimates by the British Health Authority.

The modeling study, conducted by the UK Health Insurance Service (UKHSA), according to the British Independent, also estimates that only 5% of people - one in 20 - are still able to transmit the coronavirus ten days after his diagnosis by test. He also concluded that in most cases the transmission of the virus occurs at the initial stage of the infection and not at an advanced stage.

The US reduced the isolation period from ten to five days last month and Britain is considering doing the same from seven (today) to five days. The new findings show, however, that after the fifth day after the coronavirus diagnosis, a -not negligible- number of people can potentially still transmit it to others, if he does not follow the proper precautions - and those around him - mask , distances etc.).

At the moment, the British government is "weighing" the scientific data whether it will proceed with the shortening of self-isolation in five days, after the previous reduction from ten days to seven. Professor of Epidemiology Irene Petersen of University College London (UCL) argued that "the government will shoot itself in the foot if it cuts in five days. "If you 'release' people after five days, you're gaining a certain percentage of the workforce, but if a third of them are still contagious, you may lose a larger number of people as a result."

Source: RES-EAP