Incubation Period: The time from when someone is infected to when symptoms develop. Based on existing evidence-based research, the incubation period of SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses (e.g. MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV) ranges from 2–14 days. 50% of people will become ill 5 days after infection.
Infectious Period: The time when an infected person, who may not be showing symptoms, can transmit the virus to others. While it varies from person to person, it is typically ~ 7 days.
Begins:
2 days before the start of signs/symptoms
Ends:
- 10+ days after illness onset and
- symptoms are improving and
- there has been no fever within the past 24 hours (without anti-pyretic medications).
Some immunocompromised individuals or those with severe COVID-19 may shed the virus for 20 days.
For asymptomatic individuals, it is more difficult to define their infectious period.
The Optimistic Scientist 