The Texas Medical Association says the advice is to get on with your life.
Pediatrician Dr. Valerie Smith is Chair of the Texas Medical Association's Covid-19 Return to School/Work group. She says the vast majority of recovered patients don't need a negative test or a doctor's note to return to work or school or a doctor's note. She says if you've spent ten days in quarantine and are fever free, without the use of a fever reducer, for at least 24 hours and other symptoms have resolved or improving, you should be good to go.
"The challenge with the type of testing we're doing is that people, even after they're been infected can shed viral particles for weeks afterwards but that does not mean they're contagious" said Dr. Valerie Smith. "So looking at people who have had those mild to moderate symptoms. they really are no longer contagious at least ten days after their symptoms started as long as those symptoms have improved and their fever is resolved."A persistent cough is not unusual after a Covid-19 recovery. The virus irritates and inflames the respiratory lining.She says their recommendations are in line with the Centers for Disease Control recommendations.
She says another reason for this strategy that requiring tests for people past the infectious period uses up tests. "We still have communities in our state that have testing shortages and delays in testing. This should help people receive quicker results because the system won't be so clogged with people who are just looking for that negative return to work test."Smith adds even if you are symptom free and have come through Covid-19, keep wearing a face mask, socially distance and wash your hands frequently.