Recurrent Positive SARS-CoV-2 RNA Tests in Recovered and Discharged Patients

Guidelines for the management of the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic recommend two consecutive negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests from respiratory specimens at a 24-hour interval as the hospital discharge criteria. However, concerns have risen over recent reports of increasing re-detectable positive (RP) severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA tests observed among recovered and discharged patients. Based on the current evidence, this study aimed to estimate the prevalence of RP SARS-CoV-2 RNA tests among recovered patients, in addition to the days of RNA-positive conversion since last negative/discharge. Fourteen studies were included in the meta-analysis, yielding a pooled prevalence of 32.9% RP SARS-CoV-2 RNA test among recovered patients (93/450 subjects, 95% CI 20.7 – 45.1%). The shortest time to RNA-positive conversion since last negative/discharge was 1 day while the longest was 24 days. These results emphasize the importance of accurate diagnostics and appropriate post-hospitalization management during the pandemic, since the infectious capacity of RP cases remain unknown.