Should we isolate ourselves if we are positive for Covid-19 but asymptomatic?

in collaboration with

Dr Gérald Kierzek (Medical Director of Doctissimo)

With the arrival of spring and the abandonment of the mask, a wind of freedom is blowing over the country. But many French people continue to be infected with the coronavirus, without developing symptoms. Dr. Kierzek, emergency doctor and medical director of Doctissimo, advises us on the attitude to adopt in this situation.

CDC recommends staying home ‘for at least five days’

In California, people who test positive for coronavirus and are asymptomatic are no longer required to self-isolate. However, some localities have said they will continue to follow current CDC recommendations.

William Holubek, MD, chief medical officer at University Hospital of New Jersey, insisted that states, agencies and industries “having different masking and quarantine rules only caused confusion“.

“For the health, protection and well-being of our friends, family and community, we must continue to follow these recommendations“, he added.

“When we don’t have a unified approach to a global pandemic, it’s hard to understand why things go wrong when they happen.“, added Dr. Holubek.

Positive test: isolation must be applied, with or without symptoms

Whether you are vaccinated or not, with or without symptoms, strict and immediate isolation following a positive test is mandatory. A few different rules, however, depending on your situation.

According to Health Insurance, if you have a complete vaccination schedule or if you contracted Covid-19 less than 4 months ago, you must:

• isolate yourself immediately;
• perform an antigen test on the 5th day after the date symptoms started or the date the positive test was taken if you have no symptoms:
  1. If the latter is negative and you have not had symptoms for 48 hours, you can end your isolation on the 5th day.
  2. If the latter is positive or if you have not carried out a test, you must continue your isolation until the 7th day after the date of the onset of symptoms or the date of collection of the positive test if you have no symptoms. It is not necessary to perform a new test on the 7th day.

Conversely, if you are not vaccinated or have an incomplete vaccination schedule and you did not contract Covid-19 less than 4 months ago, you must:

• isolate yourself strictly immediately;
• carry out an antigen test or an RT-PCR test on the 7th day after the date of onset of symptoms or the date of collection of the positive test if you do not have symptoms:

If the latter is negative and you have not had symptoms for 48 hours, you can end your isolation on the 7th day.

If the latter is positive or if you have not carried out a test, you must continue your isolation until the 10th day after the date of the onset of symptoms or the date of collection of the positive test if you have no symptoms.