Coronavirus: guidelines for contacts of people found positive with rapid tests

The health ministry on Tuesday issued guidelines for contacts of people found positive from rapid tests after a change to format announced on Monday.

The ministry said on Monday that positives from rapid tests would no longer need to be confirmed with PCR and would be counted as positive cases.

Those found positive with rapid tests must immediately inform their contacts, the ministry said.

Close contacts of confirmed positive cases will then need to self-isolate and give their details to the epidemiological surveillance unit.

“Individuals reported as close contact contacts receive, within 24 hours of sending their case information, a written message with instructions for close contacts,” the ministry said.

On top of that, they will have to undergo a PCR test organised by the health ministry at a public clinic.

“Under no circumstances they are to visit rapid test sites, as that would violate the self-restriction instructions,” the health ministry said.

“Moreover, performing a test immediately after finding out that you’re a close contact of a positive case can give misleading results.”

The period of isolation for close contacts is set at 14 days. However, close contacts can exit self-isolation before that time if they undergo a PCR test on the tenth day after coming into contact with a confirmed case and they test negative without showing any Covid-19 symptoms.

Close contacts who present symptoms are urged to immediately inform their GPs.

“Not respecting the instructions, aside from posing a serious public health risk, also constitutes a criminal offence,” the statement concluded.

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