The reduction of the quarantine period from 14 to 10 days "would result in a loss of detection of symptomatic cases among close contacts of confirmed cases of about 6%".
This is what the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) affirms in a document, in possession of ANSA, in response to a specific request made by Germany.
The percentage of 6%, adds the ECDC, is "large enough to have relevance for public health in a scenario where the level of exposure is high (such as the quarantine of close contacts)".
On August 27, Germany posed a specific question, asking whether the clear scientific evidence supported a reduction in quarantine from 14 to ten days.
The response of the ECDC experts came 5 days later, on September 1 "Based on the evidence described below - the document reads - the ECDC believes that there is insufficient evidence to support a decrease in the Covid incubation period 19 from 14 to ten days. The ECDC continues to monitor and review evidence as soon as it is available to ensure timely updates in its assessments. "
In the current state of knowledge, says the European Center, a reduction in these terms would precisely determine a loss in the detection of cases quantified around 6%.
The evaluation of the experts, the document continues, is based on five different studies that examine the incubation time interval of Covid 19 after exposure to infection.
The duration of the quarantine times in the case of a suspected coronavirus divides and causes discussion.
In fact, while France is reducing the number of days and EU health ministers are examining the 'dossier', 150 scientists are asking for a reduction.
But a word about all comes from the WHO which recommends keeping it at 14 days.
Following the line of greater rigor there is also Italy which, with the Scientific Technical Committee, has so far favored the caution line with a 14-day quarantine and double negative buffer.
WHO "is following the discussions"
but "defends the recommendation for a 14-day quarantine to prevent transmission of the virus".
"This recommendation - adds the Organization - is based on the data available on the incubation period; in essence, the average period is 4-5 days, with an upper limit of 14 days".
"Some countries - continues WHO Europe - are evaluating a reduction of the quarantine period combined with a test activity, taking into consideration both scientific evidence and social factors.
"At the moment no decision has been taken.
We will discuss it in the technical-scientific committee, we will also discuss with the other European countries on the basis of this orientation we will make our final choice. Consider that at this moment the indication of the WHO is and remains that of 14 days ".
This was stated by the Minister of Health, Roberto Speranza
, responding on the sidelines of a meeting in Bari to a question from journalists on the hypothesis of reducing the duration of the quarantine.
"These are assessments that our scientists make," said the minister.