The number of cases detected positive is on the rise again with a jump of 50% in mid-June. In the event of a positive test, it is always recommended to isolate oneself, but the rules vary according to the vaccination schedule.
The epidemic recovery is looming. While the BA.4 and BA.5 variants, which are particularly contagious, proliferate, more than 50% of new cases were detected in mid-June. Faced with this new leap, a reminder of the rules to follow if you test positive for the virus or are in contact.
Antigens, PCR, self-tests: available tests
As since the start of the pandemic, in the event of symptoms (fever, cough, fatigue, loss of smell, etc.) or if you are in contact, it is recommended to take a test.
Various tests are available for this. The antigen test, which is done by nasal swab, can detect the presence of the virus or virus fragments. It is always possible in pharmacies and gives a result in 20 or 30 minutes.
To determine if you are a carrier of the virus at the time of the test, a PCR test must be carried out. The latter is carried out in the laboratory, by nasal or salivary sampling. Results are available after 24 hours.
Since April, it has also been possible to perform a self-test at home. Their sale is regulated and only possible in pharmacies, the supermarkets having stopped the sale. In the event of a positive test, however, it is requested to confirm the results in the laboratory.
If you are positive
If you test positive for the virus, the Ministry of Health recommends those vaccinated to remain in solitary confinement for seven days. This duration can be reduced to five days in the event of a negative antigen test or PCR test and the absence of symptoms during the last 48 hours. The rules are the same for children under 12, generally poorly vaccinated.
In case you have never been vaccinated or not completely, the duration of isolation is higher: 10 days. Same principle, it can be reduced, this time to seven days, in the event of a negative antigen test or PCR test and no symptoms for 48 hours.
If you are contact
In the event that you have been in contact with a person who tested positive for Covid-19 without effective protective measures for any length of time, you are considered a contact case.
You are not subject to mandatory isolation immediately. It is recommended initially to strictly apply barrier gestures, then to carry out an antigen test, PCR or a self-test two days after learning that you have been in contact with a person detected positive. If you are positive, and only in this case, you are asked to isolate yourself.
As a reminder, a vaccination schedule is considered complete one week after the injection of a dose of Janssen vaccine or two doses for the other vaccines. A second booster is recommended for people aged over 80 and immunocompromised people three months after the last injection or last infection and for people aged 60-79 six months later.
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