A new study out of Harvard offers evidence that SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.7’s increased transmissibility isn’t due to its viral load but rather it’s delayed clearance, resulting in longer duration of infection. The implications are extremely positive.
https://dash.harvard.edu/bitstream/handle/1/37366884/B117Trajectories_10Feb2021.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

This could potentially mean a longer personal isolation period (longer than the currently recommended 10 days after symptom onset) may be all that is needed to control the spread of B.1.1.7!

For individuals infected with B.1.1.7, the mean duration of the proliferation phase was 5.3 days, the mean duration of the clearance phase was 8.0 days, and the mean overall duration of infection (proliferation plus clearance) was 13.3 days.

These compare to a mean proliferation phase of 2.0 days, a mean clearance phase of 6.2 days, and a mean duration of infection of 8.2 days for non-B.1.1.7 virus. More studies will need to be performed of course but this could mean a lot going forward as to how to handle B.1.1.7.

When I say “clearance” I am referring to how long it takes for the infection to naturally clear from the body. An individual is infectious for a longer period of time with B.1.1.7. This could mean all that’s needed is 13-14 days quarantine instead of 10 for the infection to pass.