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
#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
If your test is positive, you can only end #ISOLATION if:
No fever for 5 days and
14 days since first developed symptoms.
www2.hse.ie/conditions/cor…
3/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?
www2.hse.ie/conditions/cor…
4/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
journalofinfection.com/article/S0163-… 5/n
who.int/news-room/comm… 6/n
medrxiv.org/content/10.110… 7/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
jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/… 8/n
If we are to beat this virus, it is critical that everyone comes together and does their part.
#StayAtHome #washyourhands #WearAMask 9/n