Coronavirus: should we shorten the fortnight?

14 days, is it too long?

When a person shows symptoms or has been in contact with a patient positive for Covid-19, they are currently placed in isolation for two weeks.

Deeming this delay too long, the Minister of Health asked the Scientific Council to give an opinion on the subject.

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Olivier Véran relies on the fact that a patient's contagiousness decreases after a week of symptoms.

“If it is from the date of contamination, it is better to take 14 days. If it is from the date of onset of symptoms, or a positive PCR test, seven days is sufficient. It is not because they can return to work that all hygiene measures stop: they are encouraged to wear the mask very rigorously, "recommends Robert Cohen, infectious disease specialist, at the microphone of Europe 1. 

A question that divides

But the question divides scientists.

For epidemiologist Catherine Hill, shortening the fortnight could be counterproductive for contact cases, those who have worked with a patient, because their date of contamination is not the same.

"It's a non-strategy. The contacts of these cases that we have found, which are the tip of the iceberg, may still be contagious after seven days. They are told to stay isolated. for only seven days, they will come out still contagious, ”she says. 

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Today, the fortnight is highly recommended but not mandatory.

And therefore not always respected.

Shortening the duration could however encourage the French to isolate themselves more.