Abbreviations PCR (polymerase chain reaction) corresponds to the name of a technique that has been used to make diagnoses since long before the pandemic caused by COVID-19.

This is the diagnostic test of reference for the diagnosis of the virus in the early stages of the disease and basically detects genetic material of the virus, thus confirming that there is infection if the result is POSITIVE.

Although we must keep in mind that a result NEGATIVE It does not mean that the virus is not present, but that we may be at a point in the infection process in which viral load (that is, the amount of virus in our body) of the sample is insufficient to detect it. Therefore, if the person presents clear symptoms of the disease, another test should be performed after a few days.

When possible virus infection is suspected, the following should be performed: PCR In the next 24 hours there may be two possibilities:

PCR POSITIVE

In this case, the patient becomes a confirmed case and must begin isolation. The protocol to be followed is as follows:

  1. Patient without symptoms, isolation will last 10 days from the time the sample is taken.
  2. Symptomatic patient without the need for hospital admission will be 10 days from the onset of symptoms and 3 more days without symptoms.
  3. Symptomatic patients admitted must remain in isolation for 14 days from hospital discharge and be asymptomatic for at least 3 days, or have a negative PCR test.

NEGATIVE PCR

If there is clinical suspicion:

  1. Perform another PCR after 48 hours.
  2. If the second PCR test is negative, consider performing an IgM test.

What is considered a close contact?

Close contact is understood to be someone who has been within two metres of a distance of at least 15 minutes from two days before the positive case began to show symptoms, or in asymptomatic cases two days before the positive PCR test.

In case you have been in close contact with a patient COVID positive There may be two options:

  • Specific contact, the person must remain in isolation for 14 days from the last day of contact.
  • Close contact or cohabitant must remain in isolation for 24 days, 10 days of quarantine with the case with whom they live plus 14 days from the last day of contact with the possibility of contagion.

It is important that the entire population is aware and that we try to strictly follow the distancing and prevention rules that are being dictated by the health authorities.

With awareness among all, we can do it.

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Last updated on 24 September, 2020