Does anyone know how soon after contracting the virus you are contagious?

[MrsKoala]

Sorry if this sounds obvious and silly, but I've googled it and spent the day reading around and I can't find anything about how soon you are contagious. it seems about how soon symptoms show. But that isn't the same thing is it?

My concern is i'm doing shopping for my parents tomorrow. My dad has COPD and various health and heart problems so I am anxious about passing anything on.

I have been in my house for 2 weeks apart from 2 trips to the shops (last one last Sunday) and am showing no symptoms - so I assume I don't have it. But what if I get it at the supermarket tomorrow then drop the bags off? Will I be contagious immediately? I will wash hands and wipe bags etc but what about me will I be breathing it out straight away when I speak to them?

Symptoms take 3-22 days to appear.

You are most contagious 15 hours before symptoms show and contagious a couple of days before then.

Wear a mask and gloves. You have to assume your are infected and behave as such.

It's a difficult one, I don't think anyone knows the answer.

But I know it's believed you can pass it on during incubation or if you have it but with no symptoms. They're also saying incubation is on average 5 days.

I don't think you can eliminate the risk completely. If you're just dropping stuff at their door and walking away and they wash their hands after putting everything away then hopefully the risk will be minimised as much as possible.

Thank you. I was going to sit at the end of their garden for half an hour and chat to them. They have a back entrance I would use so we could stay 6 metres apart. my Dad is 75 next week and I am concerned without any company apart from mum that he will break isolation. He told me he was popping to screwfix on Weds and asked if he could come over and do my garden.