Assessment of SARS-CoV-2 RNA Test Results Among Patients Who Recovered From COVID-19 With Prior Negative Results
Retesting of 176 patients who had recovered from Covid-19 with two negative RT-PCR results found after a mean of 48.6 days from initial diagnosis, 32 (18.2%) became RT-PCR positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Only one (3.1%) had evidence of RNA capable of replication.
Source:
JAMA Internal Medicine
SPS commentary:
A related editorial notes that although this study cannot solve the challenge of interpreting positive PCR results in recovered Covid-19 patients, the data aid in understanding the scope of the problem. They suggest that to avoid unnecessary quarantine, routine repeated PCR testing should not be done in the 90 days following infection. Without capability to test for the reproductive capacity of coronavirus, interpretation of the epidemiological significance of positive PCR tests among recovered patients will remain challenging.