Coronavirus: a seven-day test can be so …

Undergo a test seven days after coming into contact with a confirmed case of covid-19 it can be so cash, to break the chain of infections, as isolate for fourteen days, according to a study by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine published in the scientific journal The Lancet.

The researchers estimated that people who test negative one week after first contact with a carrier are “unlikely” to infect and may be released from quarantine “without increasing the risk of spreading transmission” of the virus.

Scientists assumed for their calculations that 67% of people who test positive in a test strictly adhere to quarantine, as well as 50 percent of those who have been in direct contact with a carrier. In addition, according to their estimates, the two-week isolation recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) prevents about 59 percent of possible infections, if a “moderate” level of compliance is observed.

Therefore, the study indicates that both a PCR test as a lateral flow antigen (FLA) test may be effective on the seventh day of quarantine: If those who test negative isolation at this point, the final level of contagion it would be similar to the complete isolation of two weeks. Scientists stressed, however, that more analysis is needed before recommending that these measures be used with the general population.

“Compliance with quarantine regulations is essential to reduce transmission of the coronavirus. Our results suggest that testing positive contacts can potentially help reduce time and therefore improve compliance. “said Sam Clifford, one of the authors of the book. The study “does not assess the costs” of these measures, warns Clifford, who believes that all aspects must be evaluated before governments apply this model.

For this reason, Its objective has been to find ways to “facilitate compliance with isolations” and increase the efficiency of national systems for the detection and containment of positives.