Read on Twitter
There appears to be a lot of confusion between #ISOLATION and #QUARANTINE.
These are two distinct and crucial public health measures required to prevent the spread of #COVID19.
However, they are triggered by different things and the guidance differs for both... Here's why 1/n
These are two distinct and crucial public health measures required to prevent the spread of #COVID19.
However, they are triggered by different things and the guidance differs for both... Here's why 1/n
Firstly a few important definitions
#ISOLATION (or self-isolation) is used for people with confirmed/suspected COVID-19.
#QUARANTINE (or restricted movements) is used for people who were potentially exposed to the virus, via a close contact or travel, but who are NOT sick.
2/n
#ISOLATION (or self-isolation) is used for people with confirmed/suspected COVID-19.
#QUARANTINE (or restricted movements) is used for people who were potentially exposed to the virus, via a close contact or travel, but who are NOT sick.
2/n
The current Irish guidance recommends that you can end #ISOLATION If your test comes back negative (e.g. if you had symptoms).
If your test is positive, you can only end #ISOLATION if:
No fever for 5 days and
14 days since first developed symptoms.
https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/managing-coronavirus-at-home/self-isolation.html
3/n
If your test is positive, you can only end #ISOLATION if:
No fever for 5 days and
14 days since first developed symptoms.
https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/managing-coronavirus-at-home/self-isolation.html
3/n
Whereas the current Irish guidance recommends that you #QUARANTINE for 14 days if you:
are a close contact
live with someone who has symptoms
arrive from a country that is not on the green list.
This remain true even if you test negative. Why?
https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/managing-coronavirus-at-home/if-you-live-with-someone-who-has-coronavirus.html
4/n
are a close contact
live with someone who has symptoms
arrive from a country that is not on the green list.
This remain true even if you test negative. Why?
https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/managing-coronavirus-at-home/if-you-live-with-someone-who-has-coronavirus.html
4/n
So #ISOLATION is based on the period of infectiousness.
Evidence to-date suggests this is ~10 days from symptom onset, however some people can be infectious beyond that. Hence the current Irish guidance of 14 days, but some countries differ
https://www.journalofinfection.com/article/S0163-4453(20)30449-7/fulltext 5/n
Evidence to-date suggests this is ~10 days from symptom onset, however some people can be infectious beyond that. Hence the current Irish guidance of 14 days, but some countries differ
https://www.journalofinfection.com/article/S0163-4453(20)30449-7/fulltext 5/n
#QUARANTINE is based on the incubation period - so the time between exposure and symptom onset. This varies greatly from person to person. It is on average 5-6 days, but can be up to 14 days. People may have the virus for this period w/o any symptoms
https://www.who.int/news-room/commentaries/detail/transmission-of-sars-cov-2-implications-for-infection-prevention-precautions 6/n
https://www.who.int/news-room/commentaries/detail/transmission-of-sars-cov-2-implications-for-infection-prevention-precautions 6/n
Importantly people CAN transmit the virus before the onset of symptoms (i.e. pre-symptomatic) and even when people never display any symptoms at all (i.e. asymptomatic). This has been reported to be ~ 50% of all transmissions.
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.05.08.20094870v2 7/n
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.05.08.20094870v2 7/n
So why can't you end #QUARANTINE with a negative test?
The main reason is that in most cases the virus (should you have it) may be at such a low level during the incubation phase that it wouldn't be detected. Meanwhile you may soon become infectious
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2765837 8/n
The main reason is that in most cases the virus (should you have it) may be at such a low level during the incubation phase that it wouldn't be detected. Meanwhile you may soon become infectious
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2765837 8/n
In summary, #ISOLATION and #QUARANTINE are distinct but important public health measures, with differences based on the underpinning science.
If we are to beat this virus, it is critical that everyone comes together and does their part.
#StayAtHome
#washyourhands 
#WearAMask 9/n
If we are to beat this virus, it is critical that everyone comes together and does their part.
#StayAtHome
#washyourhands #WearAMask 9/n
