Updated COVID‐19 clearance time among patients with cancer in the Delta and Omicron waves

Abstract

Abstract Background COVID‐19 infection delays therapy and in‐person evaluation for oncology patients, but clinic clearance criteria are not clearly defined. Methods We conducted a retrospective review of oncology patients with COVID‐19 at a tertiary care center during the Delta and Omicron waves and compared clearance strategies. Results Median clearance by two consecutive negative tests was 32.0 days (Interquartile Range [IQR] 22.0–42.5, n = 153) and was prolonged in hematologic malignancy versus solid tumors (35.0 days for hematologic malignancy, 27.5 days for solid tumors, p = 0.01) and in patients receiving B‐cell depletion versus other therapies. Median clearance by single negative test was reduced to 23.0 days (IQR 16.0–33.0), with recurrent positive rate 25.4% in hematologic malignancy versus 10.6% in solid tumors (p = 0.02). Clearance by a predefined waiting period required 41 days until an 80% negative rate. Conclusions COVID‐19 clearance remains prolonged in oncology patients. Single‐negative test clearance can balance delays in care with risk of infection in patients with solid tumors.

Keywords

• COVID clearance
• COVID‐19