KYW Newsradio's Medical Reports are sponsored by Independence Blue Cross.
By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor
PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Can young adults return home safely this holiday season?
The only way to virtually guarantee a safe visit is a 14-day strict quarantine by all members of the family. And if you are going to rely on a test, you need to realize a negative test on one day might not detect a viral load.
A significant number of people carry the virus without symptoms and can test negative for days. So if you want a family gathering, it's essential to social distance and ideally have a gathering that is outdoors.
Many families are spread across the country and not in driving distance, which is why the CDC and others are saying this might be a year to virtually gather.
There are few things better than a family gathering and there are few times where such gatherings are more needed, but all of us need to think about these visits carefully and understand the importance of safety.
