The third PCR test performed on the woman admitted in Alicante within the hantavirus surveillance protocol has yielded a negative result, according to health sources.
The patient, who remains admitted preventively, ceases to be considered a suspected case and moves to the category of "contact", within the framework of the follow-up established by the Ministry of Health.
Follow-up and new test in seven days
Despite the negative result, the woman will continue in quarantine at the same hospital center in Alicante as a precautionary measure. It is planned that she will undergo a new PCR in seven days from her admission to confirm the clinical evolution.
Health authorities have underlined that the patient remains asymptomatic at all times since her follow-up.
New Health Protocol
The new protocol from the Ministry of Health establishes that all identified contacts must remain under enhanced health surveillance for 28 days, a period considered to be of higher risk for the appearance of symptoms compatible with the disease.
During this time, a PCR will be performed every seven days, the results of which will be considered definitive only after validation by the National Microbiology Center.
Clinical control and daily monitoring
In addition to periodic tests, the protocol includes supervised active surveillance, with temperature checks twice a day and monitoring of symptoms such as fever, respiratory distress, or muscle pain.
These measures seek to detect any possible clinical evolution early among people in quarantine.
The health plan also introduces a progressive easing of isolation. If the PCR on the seventh day is negative, contacts in quarantine will be able to receive external visits, always with the mandatory use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Likewise, supervised outings within the common areas of the floor will be authorized, maintaining the use of FFP2 masks at all times.