Izah Azahari
Research findings suggest that COVID-19 can no longer reproduce after the seventh day, and even if symptoms persist after the 10th day, an individual is no longer infectious.
Minister of Health Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham bin Haji Jaafar said this at the press conference yesterday, citing instances where a COVID-19 antigen rapid test (ART) returned positive after the individual had completed the 10-day quarantine, and his BruHealth colour code had returned to green.
“The symptoms will still be there, especially for those categorised as having long COVID, which can last up to a few weeks or months,” he said.
With regards to employees returning to work despite showing symptoms of infection, Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohd Isham said, “it should be noted that the symptoms may not necessarily be COVID-19-related, as the normal flu still exists.”
The minister reminded, however, that should a person have symptoms – such as a runny nose, cough or fever – and has a negative ART result, he should still stay at home for at least three days to control the symptoms and avoid spreading it.
“While we are busy tackling COVID-19, we must also bear in mind the existence of other illnesses like the flu.
“If you are feeling feverish, or have a cold or cough, even if it is not COVID-19, it can still infect others,” he said, before adding that the standard operating procedure (SOP) for these other illnesses is the same as with COVID-19.
