A new study has revealed that one in 10 people might have clinically relevant levels of potentially infectious SARS-CoV-2 past the 10 day quarantine period. The study has been published in the ‘International Journal of Infectious Diseases.

The study, led by the University of Exeter and funded by Animal Free Research UK, used a newly adapted test that can detect whether the virus was potentially still active. The research was applied to samples from 176 people in Exeter who had tested positive on standard PCR tests.

Also read: J&J booster 85% effective against omicron hospitalisation: Study

In its report, news agency ANI said that the study found 13 percent of people still exhibited clinically-relevant levels of virus after 10 days, meaning they could potentially still be infectious. Some people retained these levels for up to 68 days. The authors believe this new test should be applied in settings where people are vulnerable, to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Also read: A look at all UK Government parties during COVID-19 restrictions

Professor Lorna Harries, of the University of Exeter Medical School, oversaw the study. She said, “While this is a relatively small study, our results suggest that potentially active virus may sometimes persist beyond a 10 day period, and could pose a potential risk of onward transmission. Furthermore, there was nothing clinically remarkable about these people, which means we wouldn’t be able to predict who they are”.

Also read: CDC updates mask guidelines, urges Americans to use N95, KN95 masks

In its study, the test gives a positive result only when the virus is active and potentially capable of onward transmission.

Lead author Merlin Davies, of the University of Exeter Medical School, said, “In some settings, such as people returning to care homes after illness, people continuing to be infectious after ten days could pose a serious public health risk. We may need to ensure people in those settings have a negative active virus test to ensure people are no longer infectious. We now want to conduct larger trials to investigate this further.”

Also read: US fugitive faked death, found in UK with COVID: Officials

The research is a collaboration between the University of Exeter Medical School, the Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust, and the NIHR Exeter Clinical Research Facility.