Experts have advised caution about how Americans should go about getting a COVID-19 test ahead of Thanksgiving travel, saying one negative test might not be enough.
What’s going on?
The United States is facing a new surge of the novel coronavirus with cases spiking all over the country. The recent surge comes as Thanksgiving Day is less than two weeks away.
Experts have advised people to remain vigilant if they plan to travel during the pandemic to see family. This includes remaining in quarantine ahead of travel and getting tested for the virus, according to CNN
Why a negative COVID-19 test might not be enough
Experts recently said testing negative doesn’t mean you’re in the clear to see others.
- “We know that the incubation period for COVID-19 is up to 14 days. And before that, you can be testing negative, and have no symptoms,” said emergency medicine physician Dr. Leana Wen, according to CNN. “But you could actually be harboring the virus and be able to transmit it to others.”
Experts said you can still test negative even after a few days of becoming infected, and even after you’ve started showing symptoms.
- People can also be contagious while testing negative. Symptoms can take on average five days to appear. Some don’t see symptoms for 14 days, according to CNN.
Thanksgiving Day travel
You may have missed your chance to properly visit family during the pandemic. Experts told NBC News that Americans who want to travel for Thanksgiving should spend two weeks in quarantine, which would mean people need to quarantine for two weeks beginning on Nov. 12.
- “The two-week quarantine time frame is called for because that’s the length of the virus’ incubation period — that is, the time from when a person is exposed to when symptoms develop,” according to NBC News.