How many days is the COVID-19 incubation period?

Based on Section I of the Provisional Guidelines for Surveillance and Prevention of COVID-19 (Issued together with Decision 3638/QD-BYT of 2021), the regulations on COVID-19 are as follows:

COVID-19 is an acute infectious disease in Group A caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This virus frequently mutates, creating variants with higher transmission ability. By July 2021, Vietnam had recorded 07 variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, including variants common in Europe, Africa, the United Kingdom, and India. Particularly, during the outbreak from April 27, 2021, until now, our country has recorded 02 variants: Delta (B.1.617.2, first discovered in India) and Alpha (B.1.1.7, first discovered in the United Kingdom). The Delta variant is assessed to have strong transmission capabilities and has been classified by WHO as a "variant of concern," with a transmission rate 50% higher than the Alpha variant.

COVID-19 spreads from person to person through the respiratory tract. The incubation period is approximately 14 days. The majority (more than 60%) of individuals infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus do not exhibit clinical symptoms. For symptomatic patients, clinical manifestations can vary greatly, ranging from mild to severe, such as fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue, body aches, reduced or lost sense of taste or smell, difficulty breathing, possibly severe pneumonia, acute respiratory distress, and death, especially in individuals with underlying conditions, chronic diseases, and the elderly. To date, there is a vaccine for disease prevention but no specific treatment drug.

Thus, in general conditions, the incubation period is approximately 14 days. However, depending on the individual's condition, the duration may be shorter or longer than the stated number of days.

Respectfully!