Zero risk of infection from asymptomatic persons on lapse of 7 days from recovery: Medical Experts

Medical experts yesterday said that asymptomatic individuals who recovered from Covid-19 and those suffering with only mild symptoms would not be carrying infectious virus after seven days of recovery and people should not be scared of them.

Prof. Neelika Malavige, head of Department of Immunology and Molecular Medicine and Director of the Centre for Dengue Research,faculty of Medical Sciences of University of Sri Jayawardenepura said that despite the fact those recovered are discharged only after 14 days based on the Health Ministry guidelines. “This is to be more cautious,”

“Many world research groups have been investigating this and have shown that although the virus may be present in saliva and sputum in a patient for a extended period, there is no risk of infection after seven days,”.

“Those infected with Covid-19 should not be marginalised or stigmatized by society,” she said adding that “stigmatization is extremely dangerous and prevent people who may have symptoms coming forward to get tested or those who are developing severe disease to seek treatment in hospitals,”.

However, she said those who develop severe illness or complications due to COVID-19 or who are immunocompromised have shown to shed infective virus for longer periods which exceeds 10 days.

She also said that the currently circulating strain of the virus has a particular mutation associated with higher transmissibility and there is a high risk of mortality in vulnerable populations especially those who are old, and those suffering from diabetes, cancer and heart disease.“long term complications have been seen in young adults too such as extreme tiredness, lack of concentration, lack of fitness many months after getting COVID-19”.SO we have to make sure that we minimize the spread as far as possible, she added. (Susitha Fernando)