Prevalence of Positive Rapid Antigen Tests After 7-Day Isolation Following SARS-CoV-2 Infection in College Athletes During Omicron Variant Predominance

Key Points Question Is the 5-day isolation period after SARS-CoV-2 infection that has been recommended by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention sufficient for infected individuals to receive negative test results? Findings In this case series, 268 collegiate student athletes who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 underwent rapid antigen testing starting 7 days after the initial positive test. At 7 days, the results of testing were still positive in 27% of the individuals tested, with a higher percent positive in symptomatic individuals and those infected with the Omicron BA.2 variant. Meaning The findings of this study suggest that use of rapid antigen testing to aid in the decision to end isolation may be needed to prevent individuals with infection from leaving isolation prematurely.

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