05/04/2022
To clarify
You do not need a test to leave isolation if you have tested positive for COVID-19. Once you have completed your full 7 days, and have been symptom-free for 24 hours, you’re good to go. If you’re still sick, stay home.
If you take a test after recently recovering from COVID-19, it will likely show as positive – but this does not mean you are infectious. Because of this, you should avoid taking further tests for 28 days. Count your 28 days from when your symptoms started or when you tested positive, whichever came first.
After 28 days, if you get new symptoms, take a RAT. If it is positive, you will be considered a new case and will need to isolate again.
If you take a PCR test in the 3 months following recovery, you are likely to get a positive result even if you do not have a new infection. PCR tests are very sensitive and you will still have the virus in your system.
While you can get COVID-19 again at any time, the chance of reinfection in the 3 months after recovery is low. After you’ve recovered, you do not need to isolate as a Household Contact for 3 months, if someone else in your household tests positive during this time.
Find out more about testing after you have had COVID-19 here: https://covid19.govt.nz/isolation-and-care/after-you-have-had-covid-19/ -and-isolation-after-you-have-had-covid-19
