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An Estimation of the Proper Isolation Period for COVID-19 Patients with Mild Symptoms: A Multicenter Study in South Korea
27 Pages Posted: 30 Apr 2020
More...Abstract
Background: The objective of the present study was to estimate the proper isolation period for confirmed cases of COVID-19 with mild symptoms.
Methods: The multicenter retrospective study was conducted in the three living and treatment support centers (LTSC) of South Korea. Data on the characteristics of the patients and the duration of the LTSC stay were collected. Questionnaires were used for basic medical information and daily self-monitoring for health from the day of admission to March 25, 2020. In addition, the real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) results were analyzed.
Findings: A total of 572 patients was enrolled in the study. On March 25, 2020, a total of 280 patients (49.0%) maintained isolation, and 292 (51.0%) were released from isolation. Among the patients released from isolation, 75% and 90% of patients were released from isolation within 21 days and 28 days, respectively (range: 7-42 days). A Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed that there was no significant difference in the total isolation period between patients who were isolated in a solitary room and those who were isolated in a cohort room (log-rank, P = 0.714). The receiver operating characteristic curves of the release from isolation based on the total days of isolation showed that the optimal cut-off value was 19 days.
Interpretation: Of mild COVID-19 patients, 90% released from the isolation within 4 weeks. As for the RT-PCR test to decide for the discontinuation of isolation, it would be cost-effective to start the test at 19 days after diagnosis.
Funding Statement: The study was conducted without special funding.
Declaration of Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests relevant to this study.
Ethics Approval Statement: The study protocol was approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of Korea University Ansan Hospital (IRB number: 2020AS0083). The requirement for written informed consent from patients was waived due to the retrospective nature of the study and its impracticability
Keywords: COVID-19, coronavirus, extended care facilities, isolation, Republic of Korea
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