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CATHERINE W GICHUKI
DOHA
Coronavirus (COVID-19) patients who are being discharged from healthcare facilities 14 days after their first positive swab, are no longer contagious, according to a virologist at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC).
Qatar has recently announced a new protocol that will see a majority of COVID-19 patients discharged from healthcare facilities 14 days after the first swab. However, they are required to go into isolation at home for a week.
Speaking to Qatar Tribune, HMC Head of Virology Dr Peter Valentine Coyle said, “Evidence shows that these people are no longer infectious. In fact, evidence suggests that people are no longer infectious from about day 10 but we are being a bit conservative by saying day 14.
“All the evidence shows that the virus is infectious for a much shorter period of time that we thought originally.”
According to him, the original advice was to do two tests 24 hours apart and get negative results.
He said, “The time-based protocol is that one is no longer infectious after 10 days but we are extending up to 14 days. The patients are no longer infectious at that stage. Therefore, it is safe way to proceed.”
He noted that the one-week isolation after discharge from hospital is a precautionary measure even though they are not contagious.
“These people are no longer infectious but the isolation should be observed as a precaution for the seven days when they go home. It is very precautionary because safety is paramount. I think this is a safe way to proceed. Previously, it was probably understandable because we didn’t know how the virus behaved.”
Dr Coyle, however, said the new protocol is the same for all patients, though patients who are unwell will not be discharged from the hospital.
“If a patient is unwell, then they will not be discharged. They will still be getting treated. After that, there will be a clinical decision as to when they will be discharged,” he added.
DOHA
Coronavirus (COVID-19) patients who are being discharged from healthcare facilities 14 days after their first positive swab, are no longer contagious, according to a virologist at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC).
Qatar has recently announced a new protocol that will see a majority of COVID-19 patients discharged from healthcare facilities 14 days after the first swab. However, they are required to go into isolation at home for a week.
Speaking to Qatar Tribune, HMC Head of Virology Dr Peter Valentine Coyle said, “Evidence shows that these people are no longer infectious. In fact, evidence suggests that people are no longer infectious from about day 10 but we are being a bit conservative by saying day 14.
“All the evidence shows that the virus is infectious for a much shorter period of time that we thought originally.”
According to him, the original advice was to do two tests 24 hours apart and get negative results.
He said, “The time-based protocol is that one is no longer infectious after 10 days but we are extending up to 14 days. The patients are no longer infectious at that stage. Therefore, it is safe way to proceed.”
He noted that the one-week isolation after discharge from hospital is a precautionary measure even though they are not contagious.
“These people are no longer infectious but the isolation should be observed as a precaution for the seven days when they go home. It is very precautionary because safety is paramount. I think this is a safe way to proceed. Previously, it was probably understandable because we didn’t know how the virus behaved.”
Dr Coyle, however, said the new protocol is the same for all patients, though patients who are unwell will not be discharged from the hospital.
“If a patient is unwell, then they will not be discharged. They will still be getting treated. After that, there will be a clinical decision as to when they will be discharged,” he added.
