Can we predict when someone stops spreading COVID?

A Bayesian model pooling 2,000 SARS-CoV-2 infections with multiple measurements (PCR, antigen tests, viral cultures) infers when people shed infectious virus, not just detectable RNA. This reveals infectiousness duration by variant and vaccination status, letting doctors estimate real transmission risk from test results. Practical payoff: better isolation guidance and knowing when someone is genuinely safe around others.