What is the recommended duration of quarantine for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)?

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Last updated: March 31, 2025View editorial policy

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From the Guidelines

The current recommendation for COVID-19 quarantine is to isolate for at least 10 days after symptom onset, or 14 days after last contact with a person who has COVID-19, assuming one remains asymptomatic, but quarantine can be shortened to end after day 10 from last contact or day 7 with appropriately timed diagnostic testing. When considering quarantine duration, it's essential to prioritize the most recent and highest quality evidence, which in this case is from the study published in 2021 1. This study suggests that individuals with close contact to someone with SARS-CoV-2 infection should follow local public health authority guidance for the recommended duration of quarantine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends a quarantine period of 14 days after last contact with a person who has COVID-19, assuming one remains asymptomatic, but offers an option to shorten quarantine to end after day 10 from last contact or day 7 with appropriately timed diagnostic testing. Some key points to consider when determining quarantine duration include:

  • Individuals who have had COVID-19 within the past 3 months do not need to quarantine after close contact with someone who is infected, as long as they do not develop symptoms again, as stated in the study 1.
  • The decision regarding continuing or holding psoriasis treatments during a period of quarantine should be individualized on a case-by-case basis between patient and provider, according to the study 1. It's crucial to note that the guidance on quarantine duration may vary depending on individual circumstances, such as the presence of symptoms or underlying health conditions. The study published in 2020 1 provides additional guidance on quarantine duration, but it is not as recent as the 2021 study 1, and therefore, its recommendations are not prioritized. In real-life clinical practice, it's essential to prioritize the most recent and highest quality evidence when making decisions about quarantine duration, while also considering individual patient circumstances and taking a cautious approach to minimize the risk of transmission.

From the Research

COVID-19 Quarantine Duration

The provided studies do not directly address the quarantine duration for COVID-19. However, they discuss various treatments and their effectiveness against the virus.

  • The studies 2, 3, 4 focus on the treatment of COVID-19, including antiviral medications, corticosteroids, and monoclonal antibodies.
  • Study 5 compares the effects of different drugs, including hydroxychloroquine and oseltamivir, on COVID-19 patients.
  • Study 6 investigates the use of lopinavir-ritonavir in adults hospitalized with severe COVID-19.

Treatment Effectiveness

The studies suggest that:

  • Monoclonal antibodies may be the most effective treatment for COVID-19 2.
  • Remdesivir, convalescent plasma, and interferon may provide some clinical benefits, but their effects are not clinically significant 3.
  • Hydroxychloroquine may have potential for efficient COVID-19 management, while oseltamivir should be considered in combination therapy 5.
  • Lopinavir-ritonavir treatment was not associated with a difference from standard care in the time to clinical improvement 6.

Quarantine Duration

Since the provided studies do not directly address the quarantine duration, there is no specific information available to answer the question.

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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