Frank E said:L K said:Really no other way to approach the COVID testing. You can put people in isolation for illness but the COVID testing is unreliable for up to a few months after having COVID.
Can you clarify this statement, LK? Like, if I get COVID, it's tough to figure out if I have it again within a few months of having it previously?
This is true of PCR tests which detect segments of viral DNA. I believe bits of viral DNA will float around after your immune system has chopped up the virus resulting in false positives. Antigen tests may continue to work to detect infectiousness.
One protocol suggests using antigen tests 3 and 5 days after first symptoms (for healthy vaccinated folks who should clear the virus more quickly). If both negative then you should no longer be infectious. This can reduce quarantine times.