Covid-19: Still Positive After 7-Day Quarantine? This Is The Doctor’s Explanation

After isolating for seven days and testing positive for Covid-19 via an antigen test, is it possible for a person to continue infecting others?

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If you are positive for Covid after seven days, are you still infectious?

Today is the 7th day of quarantine at home, but the result is still positive.

If you follow the Healthy Ministry’s guidelines, you can start work tomorrow.

But isn’t it dangerous to meet people when you are positive?

What about the family – do you still have to isolate yourselves from the family?

Perhaps many are experiencing the same situation as above, especially when the rules on quarantines and isolation periods are changing at a dizzying speed.

Recently, the Health Ministry has announced a new quarantine period for Covid-19 positive cases as well as close contacts.

The quarantine period in Malaysia has been shortened based on a re-evaluation of scientific data.

The decision is also based on the experience of other countries in handling COVID-19 positive cases and close contacts.

The Omicron Factor

Indeed, with the omicron variant, it is speculated that Covid-19 has a much faster infection process.

Recent studies show that approximately 19% of cases continue to test positive for Covid-19 in antigen tests seven days after infection.

The infection phase can occur starting from the 2nd to the 8th day. After that 7-day period, the infection phase will end.

This means you cannot infect someone and also cannot be infected during that time period.

How Long Does Immunity Last After Infection?

After a person recovers from Covid-19, the body will generate detectable antibodies for about three months.

Therefore, the swab test or RTK test will give a positive result.

Studies found that for those who tested positive for the Covid-19 virus on the RT-PCR test, no live virus was detected which could reproduce and infect other individuals.

In conclusion, the repeat test found that individuals who are no longer infectious are positive due to the tests picking up the dead virus from old infections.

This matter was also explained by virologist Dr Ahmad Samhan through a video on TikTok:

@dr.samhan LEPAS KUARANTIN SWAB MASIH POSITIF #jombelajar #learnontiktok #tiktokguru #kitajagakita ♬ Here’s Your Perfect – Jamie Miller

If you are positive for Covid-19, do not get another PCR test for 60 days – unless symptoms return.

When Will the Results Turn Negative?

The Gavi Vaccine Alliance explains that the time taken for a negative test after being infected with Covid-19 depends on the severity of the case, as well as on the test itself.

PCR tests hunt down parts of the viral genetic material (RNA in the case of Covid-19) in our body and amplify it.

The tests are so sensitive that they can even pick up the presence of some viral fragments.

This is because viral RNA fragments can remain in our body long after the infection is complete and the virus has been cleared from our system.

As your road to recovery becomes clearer and clearer, just continue to practice the SOPs and you can go on with your daily life as usual!

There’s no need to worry unless you are experiencing serious symptoms like Long Covid.

Current Quarantine Period

The following is the latest quarantine period prescribed by the Health Ministry.

Isolation period (quarantine) for positive cases:

Has received a booster dose: 7 days
Complete vaccination: 7 days
Incomplete OR no vaccination: 10 days

Note: The quarantine period is either asymptomatic or symptomatic

Quarantine period for close contacts:

1. Age group 18 years and above

A) With symptom

5 days for individuals who have received a booster dose;
5 days for individuals who have received complete vaccinations;
7 days for individuals who have not been fully vaccinated or have not been vaccinated.

B) Without symptom

NO QUARANTINE NEEDED for individuals who have received booster doses;
5 days for individuals who have received complete vaccinations;
7 days for individuals who have not been fully vaccinated or have not been vaccinated.

2. Age group 18 years and below

A) With symptom

5 days for individuals who have received complete vaccinations;
7 days for individuals who have not been fully vaccinated or have not been vaccinated.

B) Without symptom

5 days for individuals who have received complete vaccinations;
7 days for individuals who have not been fully vaccinated or have not been vaccinated.

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