Since the incubation period can be up to 14 days, CDC recommends screening at least once a week. The time from exposure to onset of symptoms (known as the incubation period) is thought to be two to 14 days. Symptoms usually appeared within five days for early variants and within four days for Delta variant. The incubation period seems to be even shorter (about three days) for the Omicron variant.
According to the CDC, the incubation period for coronavirus is between 2 and 14 days after exposure. The average incubation period is estimated to be about 5 days after exposure to the virus. SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, usually has an incubation period of five days. In addition, about 97% of people who contract the virus will develop symptoms within 11 days.
This means that most people who have been infected with the new coronavirus will likely develop symptoms within 11 days. By setting 14 days for the self-quarantine period, officials allow additional time for people to be sure that they have not been infected and that they cannot transmit the virus to others. According to the above guidelines, symptoms of COVID can appear between two and 14 days after a person is exposed to the virus.
