Coronavirus: How long should you isolate if you have COVID-19? WHO answers with fresh guidelines

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday announced that it has updated its guidelines on 'mask wearing in community settings, COVID-19 treatments, and clinical management.'

"This is part of a continuous process of reviewing such materials, working with guideline development groups composed of independent, international experts who consider the latest available evidence and the changing epidemiology," the news release read.

The statement also shared an update regarding the isolation period for COVID-19 patients. Let's find out more about it.

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For COVID patients displaying symptoms i.e. if they are symptomatic, the WHO's new guidelines suggest 10 days of isolation from the date of symptom onset. Previously, the global health organization had advised that patients be discharged 10 days after symptom onset, along with at least three additional days after their symptoms had resolved.

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If a COVID patient tests negative with an antigen-based rapid test, the health body advises that the person can be discharged from isolation early.

Asymptomatic COVID patients are individuals who have tested positive for the virus, but do not experience any symptoms. That said, for those who test positive for COVID-19 but do not have any signs or symptoms, the WHO recommends an isolation period for 5 days, compared to 10 days previously.

As per the updated COVID guidelines, wearing a mask in public spaces is still key against the prevention of the deadly virus. The WHO recommends the use of masks ' irrespective of the local epidemiological situation, given the current spread of the COVID-19 globally.'

"Masks are recommended following a recent exposure to COVID-19, when someone has or suspects they have COVID-19, when someone is at high-risk of severe COVID-19, and for anyone in a crowded, enclosed, or poorly ventilated space," reads the statement from the global health organization.

From when the COVID-19 pandemic began in early 2020 to today, when there are multiple variants circulating around the world, the SARs-CoV-2 virus has surely changed and evolved to a great extent.

Although the symptoms have become milder and the rate of severity has reduced, the virus is still fast-spreading and highly transmissible, which is why it can cause terrible harm to those who fall in the vulnerable groups of people.

That said, following COVID-appropriate behaviour is still crucial and people must continue to remain vigilant. The best way to curb infection is by following necessary measures like wearing masks, maintaining social distance and getting your COVID vaccines.