Isolating until COVID-19 test results come back could dramatically slow its spread, CDC says - NBC News

Self-isolating while waiting for COVID-19 test results could dramatically slow the spread of the virus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.

In fact, data from CDC models are so compelling that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will now reimburse doctors who encourage people to self-isolate until their test results come back.

The CDC models suggest that if people can separate from others while they await results, it could reduce transmission of the coronavirus by up to 86 percent.

"If Americans with suspected or known COVID-19 do not self-isolate, the virus will continue to spread unabated," said Dr.

Brett Giroir, who oversees COVID-19 testing for the Trump administration, said during a hearing Friday before the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis that, for large commercial labs, "59 percent of all tests are reported within three days.".

But that leaves 41 percent of test results that take longer than 72 hours.

Citing supply and demand, Giroir said it's impossible for all tests to return results within three days, adding that some "outliers" may take up to 16 days for a test result.

The 86 percent reduction in spread applies to people isolating after a test regardless of whether they have symptoms