This Matt Hancock returning to work business is really important
Not only is he the
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="๐ฌ๐ง" title="Flag of United Kingdom" aria-label="Emoji: Flag of United Kingdom"> Minister of Health, but how soon someone can return to work post- #Coronavirus #COVIDใผ19 is going to be a major question in the coming weeks
A (very detailed) thread
Not only is he the
A (very detailed) thread
So the facts of the matter first
Hancock started to have symptoms Thu 26 March
https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/world/matt-hancock-coronavirus-felt-like-razors-in-my-throat-and-was-really-worrying-991952.html
He">https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingn... says he had two bad days, but when those were is not stipulated
He confirmed he had tested positive on Fri 27 March https://twitter.com/MattHancock/status/1243522325397622784">https://twitter.com/MattHanco...
Hancock started to have symptoms Thu 26 March
https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/world/matt-hancock-coronavirus-felt-like-razors-in-my-throat-and-was-really-worrying-991952.html
He">https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingn... says he had two bad days, but when those were is not stipulated
He confirmed he had tested positive on Fri 27 March https://twitter.com/MattHancock/status/1243522325397622784">https://twitter.com/MattHanco...
Tim Shipman says he was in isolation before the confirmed test
https://twitter.com/ShippersUnbound/status/1245772989213392898
And">https://twitter.com/ShippersU... he was out of isolation and on BBC Question Time last night Thu 2 April
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000gxw2/question-time-2020-02042020">https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/e...
https://twitter.com/ShippersUnbound/status/1245772989213392898
And">https://twitter.com/ShippersU... he was out of isolation and on BBC Question Time last night Thu 2 April
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000gxw2/question-time-2020-02042020">https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/e...
So what are those with #Coronavirus supposed to do?
Here is where it gets more complicated
There are two groups: those with Coronavirus *symptoms* and those who have had a Coronavirus test and are confirmed to have had the disease
Here is where it gets more complicated
There are two groups: those with Coronavirus *symptoms* and those who have had a Coronavirus test and are confirmed to have had the disease
The focus in
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="๐ฌ๐ง" title="Flag of United Kingdom" aria-label="Emoji: Flag of United Kingdom">, and indeed pretty much everywhere, has been on those with symptoms - as really widespread testing is not available
And the NHS has guidance for those with symptoms:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-advice/
Screenshot">https://www.nhs.uk/condition... of the relevant part
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="๐" title="Down pointing backhand index" aria-label="Emoji: Down pointing backhand index">
And the NHS has guidance for those with symptoms:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-advice/
Screenshot">https://www.nhs.uk/condition... of the relevant part
Did Matt Hancock do this?
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="๐" title="Thumbs up" aria-label="Emoji: Thumbs up"> YES
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="๐" title="Thumbs up" aria-label="Emoji: Thumbs up">
He says he has no further symptoms, and returns to work 7 days (more or less on the dot) after symptoms first started
He says he has no further symptoms, and returns to work 7 days (more or less on the dot) after symptoms first started
But sharp readers will have spotted two issues...
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="1๏ธโฃ" title="Keycap digit one" aria-label="Emoji: Keycap digit one"> There is nothing about *when* during the 7 days the symptoms have to have ended
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="2๏ธโฃ" title="Keycap digit two" aria-label="Emoji: Keycap digit two"> Hancock did not just have symptoms, he was also tested - and tested positive - for Coronavirus
On the period without symptoms...
This is what the CDC
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="๐บ๐ธ" title="Flag of United States" aria-label="Emoji: Flag of United States"> says
Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/care-for-someone.html
Thanks">https://www.cdc.gov/coronavir... @mrmattjackson for pointing me to this one
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="โฑ" title="Stopwatch" aria-label="Emoji: Stopwatch">with no symptoms before ending home isolation: 72 hours
Screenshot of the relevant part
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="๐" title="Down pointing backhand index" aria-label="Emoji: Down pointing backhand index">
This is what the CDC
Source: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/care-for-someone.html
Thanks">https://www.cdc.gov/coronavir... @mrmattjackson for pointing me to this one
Screenshot of the relevant part
On the period without symptoms... the guidance in
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="๐จ๐ญ" title="Flag of Switzerland" aria-label="Emoji: Flag of Switzerland">
Source: https://www.bag.admin.ch/bag/de/home/krankheiten/ausbrueche-epidemien-pandemien/aktuelle-ausbrueche-epidemien/novel-cov/selbst-isolierung-und-selbst-quarantaene.html#-1166878863
https://www.bag.admin.ch/bag/de/ho... class="Emoji" style="height:16px;" src=" https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="โฑ" title="Stopwatch" aria-label="Emoji: Stopwatch">with no symptoms before leaving self isolation: 10 days (10 Tage)
Screenshot of the relevant part
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="๐" title="Down pointing backhand index" aria-label="Emoji: Down pointing backhand index">
Source: https://www.bag.admin.ch/bag/de/home/krankheiten/ausbrueche-epidemien-pandemien/aktuelle-ausbrueche-epidemien/novel-cov/selbst-isolierung-und-selbst-quarantaene.html#-1166878863
Screenshot of the relevant part
And in
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="๐ฎ๐ช" title="Flag of Ireland" aria-label="Emoji: Flag of Ireland">
Source:
#self-isolation">https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/self-isolation-and-limited-social-interaction.html #self-isolation
https://www2.hse.ie/condition... class="Emoji" style="height:16px;" src=" https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="โฑ" title="Stopwatch" aria-label="Emoji: Stopwatch">with no *fever* before leaving self isolation: 5 days
Thanks also @dloredonline https://twitter.com/dloredonline/status/1246015750713860096
Screenshot">https://twitter.com/dloredonl... of the relevant part
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="๐" title="Down pointing backhand index" aria-label="Emoji: Down pointing backhand index">
Source:
#self-isolation">https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/self-isolation-and-limited-social-interaction.html #self-isolation
Thanks also @dloredonline https://twitter.com/dloredonline/status/1246015750713860096
Screenshot">https://twitter.com/dloredonl... of the relevant part
Summary on period between symptoms ending and leaving self isolation
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="๐ฌ๐ง" title="Flag of United Kingdom" aria-label="Emoji: Flag of United Kingdom"> no guidance
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="๐บ๐ธ" title="Flag of United States" aria-label="Emoji: Flag of United States"> 3 days
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="๐ฎ๐ช" title="Flag of Ireland" aria-label="Emoji: Flag of Ireland"> 5 days (since last fever)
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="๐จ๐ญ" title="Flag of Switzerland" aria-label="Emoji: Flag of Switzerland"> 10 days
(I am not researching every country - you get the idea by now)
(I am not researching every country - you get the idea by now)
But hang on
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="๐ค" title="Thinking face" aria-label="Emoji: Thinking face">
Hancock actually TESTED POSITIVE
Hancock actually TESTED POSITIVE
Is there simply the assumption that everyone who has symptoms actually has Coronavirus?
Or should a case be made to be *extra* careful with those who are confirmed to have had it?
Or should a case be made to be *extra* careful with those who are confirmed to have had it?
The problem in
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="๐ฌ๐ง" title="Flag of United Kingdom" aria-label="Emoji: Flag of United Kingdom"> is testing has been slow to be ramped up, the NHS has no specific public guidance as to whether confirmed cases should be dealt with differently to those who only show symptoms
A few of countries are doing more testing, and have guidance for confirmed cases...
A few of countries are doing more testing, and have guidance for confirmed cases...
Source https://www.fhi.no/nettpub/coronavirus/fakta/rad-til-pasienter-som-isoleres-i-hjemmet-ved-koronavirus-coronavirus/
via">https://www.fhi.no/nettpub/c... @kristianaas who pointed out the 7 day limit
"people who have been diagnosed with covid-19 but do not need hospitalization [...] [isolation] lasts for 7 days after you are completely healthy"
Google translate:
https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=1&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=auto&sp=nmt4&tl=en&u=https://www.fhi.no/nettpub/coronavirus/fakta/rad-til-pasienter-som-isoleres-i-hjemmet-ved-koronavirus-coronavirus/&usg=ALkJrhjlhd9Iuqd5qY4xcobn32hgJHwt2Q">https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate...
Source (PDF) https://www.landlaeknir.is/servlet/file/store93/item38989/Lei%C3%B0beiningar%20fyrir%20almenning%20var%C3%B0andi%20einangrun%20%C3%AD%20heimah%C3%BAsi%2027022020.pdf
"after">https://www.landlaeknir.is/servlet/f... recovering from the illness (10 days after the fever disappears)"
Google translate (confirmed to be correct by an Icelander):
#view=home&op=translate&sl=is&tl=en&text=Hann%0Agetur%20%C3%BEurft%20a%C3%B0%20f%C3%A1%20vottor%C3%B0%20%C3%BEess%20efnis%20fr%C3%A1%20heilsug%C3%A6slunni.%20Bi%C3%B0la%C3%B0%20hefur%20veri%C3%B0%20til%0Avinnuveitenda%20a%C3%B0%20s%C3%BDna%20skilning%20%C3%A1%20%C3%BEv%C3%AD%20a%C3%B0%20starfsma%C3%B0ur%20%C3%BEarf%20a%C3%B0%20s%C3%A6ta%20einangrun%20%C3%A1fram%0Aeftir%20a%C3%B0%20hann%20hefur%20n%C3%A1%C3%B0%20s%C3%A9r%20af%20veikindunum%20(10%20daga%20eftir%20a%C3%B0%20hiti%20hverfur)">https://translate.google.com/ #view=home&op=translate&sl=is&tl=en&text=Hann%0Agetur%20%C3%BEurft%20a%C3%B0%20f%C3%A1%20vottor%C3%B0%20%C3%BEess%20efnis%20fr%C3%A1%20heilsug%C3%A6slunni.%20Bi%C3%B0la%C3%B0%20hefur%20veri%C3%B0%20til%0Avinnuveitenda%20a%C3%B0%20s%C3%BDna%20skilning%20%C3%A1%20%C3%BEv%C3%AD%20a%C3%B0%20starfsma%C3%B0ur%20%C3%BEarf%20a%C3%B0%20s%C3%A6ta%20einangrun%20%C3%A1fram%0Aeftir%20a%C3%B0%20hann%20hefur%20n%C3%A1%C3%B0%20s%C3%A9r%20af%20veikindunum%20(10%20daga%20eftir%20a%C3%B0%20hiti%20hverfur)">https://translate.google.com/...
So what I can find if countries have specific guidance on confirmed cases - period *after* symptoms have ended before a person can leave isolation
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="๐ณ๐ด" title="Flag of Norway" aria-label="Emoji: Flag of Norway"> 7 days
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="๐ฎ๐ธ" title="Flag of Iceland" aria-label="Emoji: Flag of Iceland"> 10 days (since last fever)
Oh, and what does the WHO say about the period *after* symptoms have ended before a person can leave isolation?
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="๐บ๐ณ" title="Flag of United Nations" aria-label="Emoji: Flag of United Nations"> 14 days https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1239582223810072576">https://twitter.com/WHO/statu...
Point is not whether Hancock complied with NHS guidance - he did
Important Qs
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="1๏ธโฃ" title="Keycap digit one" aria-label="Emoji: Keycap digit one"> why does
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="๐ฌ๐ง" title="Flag of United Kingdom" aria-label="Emoji: Flag of United Kingdom"> (unlike
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="๐บ๐ธ" title="Flag of United States" aria-label="Emoji: Flag of United States">
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="๐ฎ๐ช" title="Flag of Ireland" aria-label="Emoji: Flag of Ireland">
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="๐จ๐ญ" title="Flag of Switzerland" aria-label="Emoji: Flag of Switzerland">) stipulate no period someone needs to be healthy before ending isolation?
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="2๏ธโฃ" title="Keycap digit two" aria-label="Emoji: Keycap digit two"> should confirmed cases be dealt with even more carefully than those just with symptoms?
/ends
Important Qs
/ends