About testing to end isolation

The university does not require testing to allow individuals who have had COVID-19 to return to campus. Why? The tests we utilize for both symptomatic and exposure testing are molecular tests which use PCR-based technology. These tests may remain positive for up to 120 days even though the individual is no longer contagious. Multiple well-designed studies have confirmed that shedding of live virus is extremely rare beyond 8 days after symptom onset. Based on this data, the CDC no longer recommends a negative test to end isolation and return to work.