Covid isolation: duration, positive, when to isolate?

The rule is still the same in October 2022: a Covid positive case must isolate themselves for 5, 7 or 10 days depending on whether they are vaccinated, completely or not, and if they no longer have symptoms. What about contact cases? The kids? Should we wait for his test results? How many days ? Here are the current rules.

[Updated October 13, 2022 at 12:03 p.m.] The Covid epidemic has been going on for several years and the rule of isolation is still valid in October 2022. Isolation makes it possible not to contaminate others and prevents an epidemic rebound. It must be respected if you test positive for Covid, if you are awaiting a test because you have signs suggestive of the disease or in some cases, when returning from a trip. This isolation is not always easy to live with, but it is the essential solution to protect yourself and others and help to slow down or even stop the epidemic. Reminder of isolation rules for Covid-positive cases, cas contacts and the children .

What are the isolation rules for Covid cases in October 2022?

The isolation in case of Covid-19 ne concerns only people who have tested positive. Since March 21, 2022, people case contacts vaccinated or not (over 12 years old) are no longer required to respect isolation.

  new rules of'isolement Covid
Covid isolation rules since March 2022

How long do we have to isolate ourselves if we have the Covid?

  • Vaccinated Covid-positive people must isolate themselves 7 days (full) after the date of the onset of signs or the date of the collection of the positive test . After 5 days, the positive person can be released from isolation if they have a antigen test negative and that she no longer has clinical signs of infection for 48 hours.
  • Unvaccinated Covid-positive people must self-isolate 10 days (full) after the date of the onset of signs or the date of the collection of the positive test. After 7 days, the positive person can be released from isolation if they have a negative antigen test and they have not had clinical signs of infection for 48 hours.

How long to isolate yourself if you are positive for Covid and vaccinated?

With a complete and up-to-date vaccination schedule and for children under 12: isolation is for a period of 7 days (full) from date of onset of symptoms or date of positive swab . However, has After 5 days, the positive person can come out of isolation on two conditions :

  • She performs an antigen test or RT-PCR and this one is negative
  • She no longer has clinical signs of infection in the SARS-CoV-2 for 48 hours.

If the test performed is positive or if the person does not carry out a test, their isolation is maintained at 7 days . She does not carry out a second test on D7.



How long to isolate if you are Covid positive and not vaccinated?

With an incomplete vaccination schedule or for unvaccinated persons: isolation is 10 days (full) from the date of the onset of symptoms or the date of the collection of the positive test.

However, after 7 days, the positive person can be released from isolation at two conditions :

  • She performs an antigen or RT-PCR test and it is negative
  • She has had no clinical signs of SARS-CoV-2 infection for 48 hours.

If the test is positive or if the person does not carry out a test, their isolation is maintained at 10 days. Respect for barrier gestures (wearing a mask and hygiene measures) must be respected for 7 days following the release of the positive case from isolation.

How long to isolate yourself if you have already had the Covid?

L' Health Insurance indicates that if you have ever had Covid-19 less than 2 months ago , you do not have to self-isolate, unless you have symptoms and your GP considers it to be a new infection . In this case, if you need a work stoppage to isolate yourself, you can contact the contact tracing teams with a certificate from your doctor. This stoppage will be compensated without a waiting day and with an employer supplement. If your state of health is not stabilized at the end of your isolation, your attending physician may extend your stay.

Should we isolate ourselves if we are in contact?

Non. Since  21 mars 2022 , and in accordance with the opinion of the High Council for Public Health (HCSP) of February 11, 2022, contact persons at risk (contact cases), regardless of their vaccination status, are no longer required to respect isolation , indicate a decree of the General Directorate of Health of March 15, 2022 . However, they should always:

  • Achieve a Covid screening test (antigen, PCR or self-test) on D+2 of the notification du contact status.
  • Limit their contact, especially with fragile people.
  • Avoid contact with people at risk of severe form.
  • Telework as much as possible.
  • Wear a masque for 7 days following the risky contact.

A positive antigen test or self-test result must necessarily be confirmed by a test RT-PCR

How long should a Covid-positive child isolate themselves?

For children under 12 positive for Covid, isolation is one 7 day duration (full) after the date of the onset of signs or the date of the collection of the positive test. However, after 5 days, the child can be released from isolation under two conditions:

  • if he performs an antigen test and it is negative
  • if he no longer has clinical signs of infection for 48 hours

If the test carried out is positive or if the child does not carry out a test, his isolation is maintained at 7 days. The does not carry out a second test on D7 . (J stands for: the day you find out you are in contact)

How do I obtain an attestation (or certificate) of isolation?

Positive cases that need to be isolated may benefit from a certificate of isolation or ' stay-at-home statement 'if they need a work stoppage and cannot telecommute. To simplify their procedures, the Health Insurance has opened since October 3, 2020 the teleservice declare.ameli.fr . Before paying your daily allowances, Health Insurance will verify that you are identified as a positive case.

What precautions should be taken during isolation?

  • Stay, if possible, in a separate room from loved ones, with the door closed. It is important to sleep and eat meals alone, in your room.
  • Avoid contact with other people in the house, apartment or place of reception, do not touch or kiss them
  • Wear a mask in the presence of a person, respect a distance of more than 2 meters and limit discussions to 15 minutes
  • Avoid contact with fragile people, i.e. people over 65 or with chronic diseases (hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, etc.), people with severe obesity and pregnant women in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy
  • Use, if possible, a separate bathroom and toilet, which you do not share with other people in your home. If you have no choice, the rooms you share with others should be cleaned regularly. People who use them wash their hands before and after use;
  • Do not share everyday items: towel, soap, phone...

Sources :

- Evolution of measures to combat covid as of March 14, 2022

- Infection or contact case: the new isolation rules against Covid-19 from January 3, 2022

- Covid-19: vulnerable people should apply for a new isolation certificate. Ameli.fr 09/15/2021

- Vulnerable people: the new list of criteria since September 9th. September 9, 2021. Service-Public.fr

- What to do in the face of a case of infection with SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) 07/22/2021. French Public Health.

- Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2: clinical criteria for release from isolation of infected patients, Haut Conseil de la Santé Publique

- Coronavirus COVID-19: health information and recommendations, ARS Occitanie and Île-de-France

- National union of young general practitioners.

- Covid-19 patient file, Public Health France.

- File: Isolation, principles and rules to be respected on the Ameli.fr site

- Contact person form, government.fr

Source journaldesfemmes.fr