Alliance for Pandemic Preparedness

October 14, 2020

The Duration of Infectiousness of Individuals Infected with SARS-CoV-2

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  • The detection of SARS-CoV-2 via culture among patients with COVID-19 illness was highly unlikely beyond 10 days of symptom onset in patients with mild-to-moderate disease. In a systematic review of 15 studies with more than 800 patients (5 studies did not specify sample size), the authors estimate that only six out of 217 patients had culturable virus beyond 10 days. For patients who were immunocompromised or with severe-to-critical COVID-19 illness, SARS-CoV-2 could be isolated for up to 32 days following onset of symptoms. 

Walsh et al. (Oct 9, 2020). The Duration of Infectiousness of Individuals Infected with SARS-CoV-2. The Journal of Infection. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jinf.2020.10.009