At What Point Does a COVID-19 Patient Stop Being Contagious?

While everyone is currently being asked to stay home to limit the spread of the virus, no study had yet revealed at what point patients with COVID-19 are no longer contagious, and when they can therefore regain a 'semblance of normal life.' According to this study, we might have an answer.

A revealing study

According to a report published by Singaporean scientists, and reported by the Straits Times, we finally know for how long a patient is contagious. According to the study, a coronavirus patient is no longer contagious 11 days after the onset of symptoms of the disease. The Straits Times reports:

According to their research, examining recovering patients may show the presence of the coronavirus, but at this point they are no longer contagious.

How did they conduct this study?

According to the report, scientists looked for 'a sufficient evidence base, by studying several patients, to prove that the person would no longer be contagious 11 days after the onset of symptoms of the disease.'

However, some patients are exceptions, and may still be contagious after this period. This includes more vulnerable people, for example, those with cancer, those undergoing chemotherapy, or those taking immunotherapy drugs.

Despite this new study, Sputniknews reported that the Singaporean Ministry of Health has not yet validated the study, and that 'each patient is kept in hospital until they have completed two tests that have been negative for the coronavirus.'