News

Resources for GPs—when can COVID-19 patients stop self-isolating at home?

GPs may find their patients with COVID-19 asking when they are safe to stop self-isolating at home or be released from hospital isolation.

Information for patients about self-isolation, including when and how to do it according to the government recommendations is available from HealthDirect Australia here.

The advice from HealthDirect Australia says for patients with confirmed COVID-19:

  • Patients self-isolating at home that did not require hospitalisation can end their isolation if:
    • At least 10 days have passed since the onset of symptoms; and
    • All symptoms of acute illness have been resolved for the previous 72 hours.
  • Hospitalised patients that are clinically ready to be discharged, but have not had two consecutive negative coronavirus tests at least 24 hours apart can end their home self-isolation if:
    • At least 10 days have passed since hospital discharge; and
    • All symptoms of the acute illness have been resolved for the previous 72 hours.
  • Hospitalised patients who have had specimens collected at the time of clinical recovery can be released from isolation if:
    • They have been without fever for the previous 48 hours; and
    • All symptoms of the acute illness have been resolved for the previous 24 hours; and
    • At least 7 days must have passed since the onset of acute illness; and
    • They have had at least 2 negative coronavirus tests, collected 24 hours apart, after acute illness has resolved.

More information about COVID-19 is available from the AMA’s COVID-19 website here.

Related topics