Should I be tested after recovering from confirmed COVID to show that I am no longer shedding virus?

No, repeat testing is not recommended at this time. As above, for patients recovering at home, it is possible to assume that someone can no longer spread the virus if:

  • At least 3 days (72 hours) have passed since recovery (that is, symptoms have cleared up) and
  • At least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared, even without testing to ensure there is no more virus present.

Note that guidance is slightly different for those who had infection without symptoms. Additional questions about when to discontinue home isolation can be directed to primary care providers or to providers staffing the NYC H+H Hotline (844-692-4692).

last updated: August 18, 2022

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