Bungled wording in Covid isolation advice may have led to thousands re-entering the community while still infectious.
Bungled wording in Covid isolation advice may have led to people re-entering the community while still infectious.
The confusion stemmed from a text being sent out by NSW Health to the state’s coronavirus-infected that gave vague advice about exiting isolation.
One line in particular informed people they “may leave isolation if you do not have a sore throat, runny nose, cough, or shortness of breath.”
Current rules state anyone infected by Covid in NSW must isolate for seven days, regardless of symptoms.
In a fresh bid to quash confusion, an updated text set to be sent out from Monday will clearly state stay-at-home requirements.
“Please read the ‘Testing positive to Covid-19’ fact sheet for health advice if you have symptoms at Day 7,” the message read.
“This SMS can be used as evidence to show your employer that you have had Covid-19 and that you can be released from self-isolation on (seven days after testing positive).”
The state’s chief health officer Kerry Chant doubled down on the seven-day requirement, saying people must also be completely asymptomatic to exit isolation.
She also added that boosters were the “the single most important thing” when quashing the spread of Covid.
“I can’t stress this enough, if we can roll out our booster program, lift that uptake of boosters … that will put so much downward pressure on transmissions,” she said.
NSWs recorded 13,524 new cases and a record 52 deaths in the latest reporting period.
Originally published as Major change to NSW isolation advice after text bungle
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