February 28, 2020

Positive RT-PCR test results in patients recovered from COVID-19

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Clinical Characteristics and Health Care Setting

• Four recovered patients with COVID-19 who met criteria for hospital discharge or discontinuation of quarantine in China were evaluated with RT-PCR tests for COVID-19 nucleic acid to determine if they could return to work. All had positive RT-PCR test results 5 to 13 days later which suggests a need to reevaluate current criteria for hospital discharge or discontinuation of quarantine and continued patient management.

Lan et al. (February 27, 2020). Positive RT-PCR test results in patients recovered from COVID-19. JAMA Research Letter. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2762452