\No, your news feed is not broken. Over the weekend, President Joe Biden tested positive for COVID-19 again. The announcement came days after Biden was cleared to end his period of isolation and resume normal activities, including attending events without a mask.
It’s the latest example of a “bounce” positive from COVID.
What does it mean for Connecticut?
> More information about COVID-19.
What is a COVID rebound case?
In May, the CDC issued a warning: Two to eight days after completing treatment with Paxlovid and testing negative, a small percentage of people had signs of COVID again.
“A very small percentage of patients taking Paxlovid for COVID-19 may have a recurrence of their symptoms after they get better,” he says Henry Anyimadu, MD, FACP, chief of infectious diseases for Hartford HealthCare’s central region. “Some may even test positive again after testing negative. This phenomenon is called ‘rebound COVID-19′”.
These cases, also called “recurrence of COVID”, do not usually cause serious illness. But they mean that people who thought they were no longer contagious could still infect others.
What is the relationship between the recurrence of COVID and Paxlovid?
Paxlovid, the antiviral drug prescribed to people at high risk of severe COVID, has been part of most of the COVID rebound stories. In June, that included Biden’s top medical adviser, Dr. Anthony Fauci. Now it includes Biden himself.
Despite the high-profile coverage, experts say Paxlovid’s rebound rate is small. The White House recently noted that only about 5 percent of Paxlovid recipients experience recurrences of COVID. Because it’s difficult to self-diagnose a case of rebound, other experts say the number could be higher.
What causes a rebound infection?
Scientists are still working to understand this question. One theory is that patients experiencing rebounds had a particularly high viral load in their bodies, too much for the five-day Paxlovid treatment to clear completely.
Is the COVID bounce the same as the long COVID?
In short, no.
COVID rebound is diagnosed in the short term: you test positive or have recurring symptoms in the days after treatment ends (two to eight days, specifically). Long-term COVID refers to symptoms at least four weeks after infection.
“Prolonged covid is the persistence of symptoms of covid-19 after an acute illness,” explains Dr. Anyimadu. “Patients may have all or some of their symptoms of COVID, including physical and mental symptoms that may persist for months.”
So far, scientists have not found a clear connection between the two.
> Do you think you might have COVID for a long time? Call the COVID Recovery Center at 860.827.3200.
How many COVID rebounds are there in Connecticut?
There is no public record of rebound COVID cases in Connecticut.
Because? It’s a difficult number to determine, because diagnosing a recurrence of COVID requires a positive test, then a negative test, and then a positive test again. Many people who are recovering from a mild infection or who are not worried about a recurrence of COVID, do not bother to get all these tests.
Here’s what we know: According to the New York Times, last week about 850 people in Connecticut tested positive for COVID each day. A small percentage would have taken Paxlovid. And a small percentage of them might have cases of rebound, whether they realize it or not.
How should I avoid infecting myself or infecting someone else with a rebound case?
The prevailing advice boils down to common sense and healthy habits:
If you’re recovering from COVID, get tested frequently and pay attention to how you feel. If you notice new symptoms, self-isolate and talk to a doctor or get tested. If your symptoms have returned or if you test positive, follow CDC recommendations: five days of isolation and 10 days of wearing a mask. If you have taken Paxlovid or another medication, take extra caution with all of the above.
“Patients who have experienced a COVID-19 rebound should isolate themselves again as they can still spread the virus to others,” says Dr Anyimadu.