Isolation Period for COVID-19 Patients Reduced to Seven Days

Mellissa Diaz- Musa

And with the decrease in cases comes a decrease in the time a COVID-19 patient is required to be in isolation. Belize’s COVID-19 isolation period now stands at seven days, but if a patient is feeling well after twenty-four hours that person may come out of isolation. Doctor Musa explained.

Dr. Mellissa Diaz- Musa, Director of Public Health Services, M.O.H.W.

“Most countries have actually continued with fourteen days or ten days. The only country I am aware of is the United States that has gone down to five days, but when you read the actual guidelines it says five days with conditions. So, Belize is at seven days, but again with conditions. So, you can come out of your isolation if you have been twenty four hours without a fever, if you don’t need any medication, if you feel well, completely asymptomatic, you can come out of isolation at that time and we would still encourage for a few days after, especially if you are in crowded situations that you keep your mask on. I must say that things we have done in the past, for instance isolating entire families, or homes, all these things we have changed quite significantly, because if you look at the last days you were exposed and you test within three to four days after that, and you test negative, you can return to work. That is not a problem.”