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

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.