The novel coronavirus, Covid-19, continues to spread throughout the world and has caused many countries to go on lockdown. One of the most important things to understand is how long Covid-19 is contagious. Knowing this information can help people protect themselves and those around them from contracting the virus.
How Long is Covid-19 Contagious?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that an infected person can be contagious for up to 10 days after testing positive for Covid-19. This is the same for both symptomatic and asymptomatic people. Those who are symptomatic may be contagious for a longer period of time, up to 20 days.
It is important to note that the contagious period can be shorter depending on the symptoms. For example, those with mild symptoms may only be contagious for a few days while those with severe symptoms may be contagious for up to three weeks.
How to Protect Yourself After Testing Positive
If you have tested positive for Covid-19, the CDC recommends that you stay home and away from other people for at least 10 days after testing positive. This is to ensure that you do not spread the virus to others.
It is also important to practice good hygiene to prevent the spread of the virus. This includes washing your hands often, avoiding touching your face, and disinfecting surfaces that are frequently touched.
It is also important to monitor your symptoms and contact your healthcare provider if they worsen.
Covid-19 is a highly contagious virus and it is important to understand how long it is contagious for. Knowing this information can help people protect themselves and those around them from contracting the virus. Those who have tested positive for Covid-19 should stay home and away from other people for at least 10 days and practice good hygiene to prevent the spread of the virus.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), testing positive for COVID-19 does not automatically mean a person will stay contagious for a predetermined amount of time. There is no set timeline for how long the contagious period will last due to the ongoing research and the changing understanding of the virus. However, it is thought that COVID-19 will be contagious for around 10 days or longer after the initial diagnosis.
Being contagious with COVID-19 means to be able to spread the virus to other people. It’s important to remember that even after individuals test positive, they can still spread the virus to other people through close contact. This includes being in the same space as someone else for 15 minutes or more, or within 6 feet of each other, even if both are wearing masks.
It is important to note that infectiousness can last for much longer than 10 days, up to 3 weeks in severe cases. Even after the 10-day period, individuals should continue to practice preventive measures such as handwashing and social distancing. This will help reduce the chance of others being infected.
The best way for anyone to stay healthy and avoid infection is to take proper precautions such as wearing a mask, cleaning frequently touched surfaces, and avoiding close contact with people who have COVID-19. It is also important to stay home if you are sick. This will help limit the spread of the virus in your community and reduce your risk of getting sick.
