Covid isolation: when you are positive, duration, mandatory?

[MIse à jour le 5 décembre 2022 à 10h11] The Covid epidemic starts again in December in France and the rule of isolation is still valid. Is it obligatory ? What rules for cases positive ? Case contacts ? Vaccinated or unvaccinated? Children ?

Is isolation mandatory when you are positive for Covid?

Yes, isolation is still de rigueur in France in December 2022 and must be respected, recalls the government website. This isolation in the event of Covid-19 does not concerns only people who have tested positive. Since March 21, 2022, people case contacts vaccinated or not (over 12 years old) are no longer required to respect isolation.

What is the isolation period?

► Vaccinated Covid-positive people (2 doses + 1 booster = complete vaccination schedule) must isolate themselves 7 days (full) after the date of the onset of signs or the date of the collection of the positive test. After 5 days, the positive person can be released from isolation if they have a negative antigen test and they have not had any clinical signs of infection for 48 hours.

► Unvaccinated Covid-positive people must isolate themselves 10 days (full) after the date of the onset of signs or the date of the collection of the positive test. After 7 days, the positive person can be released from isolation if they have a negative antigen test and they have not had any clinical signs of infection for 48 hours.

What is the isolation protocol when you are positive for Covid?

With a complete and up-to-date vaccination schedule (2 doses + 1 dose for the initial schedule) and for children under 12 years of age: isolation is for a period of 7 days (full) from the date of onset of symptoms or date of positive swab. However, hasAfter 5 days, the positive person can come out of isolation on two conditions :

• She performs an antigen test or RT-PCR and this one is negative
• She has had no clinical signs of SARS-CoV-2 infection for 48 hours.

If the test performed is positive or if the person does not carry out a test, their isolation is maintained at 7 days. She does not carry out a second test on D7.

How long to isolate yourself when you are positive and not vaccinated?

With an incomplete vaccination schedule or for non-vaccinated persons: isolation is 10 days (full) from the date of the onset of symptoms or the date of the collection of the positive test.

However, after 7 days, the positive person can be released from isolation at two conditions :

• She performs an antigen or RT-PCR test and it is negative
• She has had no clinical signs of SARS-CoV-2 infection for 48 hours.

If the test is positive or if the person does not perform a test, their isolation is maintained at 10 days. Respect for barrier gestures (wearing a mask and hygiene measures) must be respected for 7 days following the release of the positive case from isolation.

How long to isolate yourself if you have already had the Covid?

Health insurance says that if you have already had Covid-19 less than 2 months agoyou do not have to self-isolate, unless you have symptoms and your GP considers it to bea new infection. In this case, if you need a work stoppage to isolate yourself, you can contact the contact tracing teams with a certificate from your doctor. This stoppage will be compensated without a waiting day and with an employer supplement. If your state of health is not stabilized at the end of your isolation, your attending physician may extend your stay.

No. Since March 21, 2022and in accordance with the opinion of the High Council for Public Health (HCSP) of February 11, 2022, contact persons at risk (contact cases), regardless of their vaccination status, are no longer required to respect isolationnoted a decree of the General Directorate of Health of March 15, 2022. However, they must always:

• Achieve a Covid screening test (antigen, PCR or self-test) on D+2 contact status notification.
• Limit their contact, especially with fragile people.
• Avoid contact with people at risk of severe form.
• Telework as much as possible.
• Wear a mask for 7 days following risky contact.

A positive antigen test or self-test result must necessarily be confirmed by an RT-PCR test

What isolation for a Covid-positive child?

For children under 12 positive for Covid, isolation is a duration of 7 days (full) after the date of the onset of signs or the date of the collection of the positive test. However, after 5 days, the child can be released from isolation on two conditions:

• if he performs an antigen test and it is negative
• if he no longer has clinical signs of infection for 48 hours

If the test carried out is positive or if the child does not carry out a test, his isolation is maintained at 7 days. He does not carry out a second test on D7. (J means: the day you learn that you are in contact). From the age of 12, the unvaccinated child must isolate themselves for 10 days (or 7 if he has a negative test after 7 days).

How to obtain an attestation (or certificate) of isolation?

Positive cases that need to be isolated may benefit froma certificate of isolation or “declaration of home care” if they need a work stoppage and cannot telecommute. To simplify their procedures, the Health Insurance has opened since October 3, 2020 the teleservice declare.ameli.fr. Before paying your daily allowances, Health Insurance will verify that you are identified as a positive case.

What precautions should be taken during isolation?

• Stay, if possible, in a separate room from loved ones, with the door closed. It is important to sleep and eat meals alone, in your room.
• Avoid contact with other people in the house, apartment or place of reception, do not touch or kiss them
• Wear a mask in the presence of a person, respect a distance of more than 2 meters and limit discussions to 15 minutes
• Avoid all contact with fragile people, i.e. people over 65 or with chronic diseases (hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, etc.), people with severe obesity and pregnant women in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy
• Use, if possible, a separate bathroom and toilet, which you do not share with other people in your home. If you have no choice, the rooms you share with others should be cleaned regularly. People who use them wash their hands before and after use;
• Do not share everyday objects: towel, soap, telephone…

Sources:

– Evolution of the measures to fight against covid from March 14, 2022

– Infection or contact case: the new isolation rules against Covid-19 from January 3, 2022

– Covid-19: vulnerable people must apply for a new isolation certificate. Ameli.fr 09/15/2021

– Vulnerable people: the new list of criteria since September 9. September 9, 2021. Service-Public.fr

– What to do in the event of a case of infection with SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) 07/22/2021. French Public Health.

– Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2: clinical criteria for release from isolation of infected patients, Haut Conseil de la Santé Publique

– Coronavirus COVID-19: health information and recommendations, ARS Occitanie and Île-de-France

– National union of young general practitioners.

– Covid-19 patient sheet, Public Health France.

– File: Isolation, principles and rules to be respected on the Ameli.fr site

– Contact person form, government.fr