Can A Person Test Negative And Later Test Positive For COVID-19?
COVID-19Common questionCan a person test negative and later test positive for COVID-19?Using the CDC-developed diagnostic test, a negative result means that the virus that causes COVID-19 was not found in the person’s sample. In the early stages of infection, it is possible the virus will not be detected.
Can you get a false negative COVID-19 diagnostic test?
There's a chance that your COVID-19 diagnostic test could return a false-negative result. This means that the test didn't detect the virus, even though you actually are infected with it.
COVID-19 diagnostic testing
How long can you test positive for COVID-19?
>People who have recovered from COVID-19 can continue to test positive for up to 3 months after their infection.
Requirement for Proof of Negative COVID-19 Test or Documentation of Recovery from COVID-19
How long does it take for symptoms to start appearing for the COVID-19 disease?
People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.
Symptoms of COVID-19
What are consequences of a false negative COVID-19 test?
Risks to a patient of a false negative test result include: delayed or lack of supportive treatment, lack of monitoring of infected individuals and their household or other close contacts for symptoms resulting in increased risk of spread of COVID-19 within the community, or other unintended adverse events.
CDC 2019 Novel Coronavirus (nCoV) Real-Time RT-PCR Diagnostic Panel - Healthcare Provider Fact Sheet