We hear some folk describing COVID precautions like being in a prison. They feel ‘trapped in their masks’ while not being able shake hands, hug, and this deprives them of their human rights. We wish we all understood a negative test is not a “drop your guard” card. That’s because living in a pandemic is not a board game where you can take chances like monopoly.
A Negative Test for COVID-19 Is Not a “Drop Your Guard” Card
It can take as long as 14 days for symptoms to show from a coronavirus infection. And during this period we could be testing negative and infecting other people. Moreover a study published August 18, 2020, confirms the probability of false negative tests during the first four days is high.
The research published in Annals of Internal Medicine August 18, 2020 concludes:
1… The probability of a false negative test result on Day 1 is 100%
2… The probability of false negative results reduces to 94% on Day 4
Therefore a negative test for COVID-19 is not a drop your guard card. The probability of a false negative test result may be as low as 20% on Day 8. However, it increases as high as 66% on Day 21.
Concluding Remarks in Annals of Internal Medicine
Care should be taken when interpreting COVID-19 test results. This is particularly important early in infections, and especially if using them as motivation for relaxing precautions. Tests should not rule out clinical suspicions on their own. The epidemiological and clinical situations should also be considered.
Therefore close contacts should wait at least 10 days after a suspected infection. And we should make sure we are on the same page as family, friends, and colleagues before socializing again. CNN Health recommends small sacrifices made this Thanksgiving, will help ensure all will be healthy enough to sit at the table next celebration.
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Antibody Tests as Checks for Past Infections
Preview Image: Quarantine Concept for Thanksgiving Day
