Secondary school child - when to have Covod test before visiting grandparents for Christmas

[MovingDrama]

I really hope that Im not flamed for this however we have travel booked 23-27 December to visit my parents in a rural part of the UK over Christmas

I have seen the news about spread in schools and would like DD to have a private test.
She finishes school on 18/12 - and im wondering if she should have the test on this day or a day closer to our travel date? We will be self isolating at home from 18/12 however Im not sure if closer to the travel date would be better

When she develops symptoms.

I would have thought closer to the travel date would be better.

Closer would give a bit of time for anything caught at school to develop. I’d leave it as late as possible to still be able to get the results and change travel plans if necessary.

Nearer to the travel date as she could be infected right up to the 18th. If it’s a private test, I don’t see how anyone can judge you for testing without symptoms.

Save your money, there's no point privately testing when she could be carrying and then potentially develop symptoms well after your travel date and up untill the 1st in which case it wouldn't show up on a test. .

When she develops symptoms, or towards the end of the normal 14 day SI period

Testing does not tell you whether or not you are incubating the disease. As the peak time for becoming symptomatic is 5-7 days after exposure, your travel dates are at the riskiest time, and a time when testing cannot provide the reassurance you seek

14 days before you intend to travel and isolate for the 14 day period until you travel. A test only tells you you are not positive at the point the test was taken but you could develop the virus up to 14 days after exposure to a positive case.

Why would it just be your DD needing a test? You’ll be a risk too as you’re exposed to her.

Did you not think before seeing the news yesterday that there was spread in schools? Did you make your plans for Christmas without thinking that there might be a risk that your DD might be carrying the virus?

Ah ok - thanks everyone. I was hoping the test would tell us if DD had the virus but I realise from the post above that it doesnt tell you if you are incubating it.
I just wanted her to take it following the news - which we have all already suspected - about school children carrying the virus

School children carrying the virus is surely not news unless you've been living under a rock for the past 3 months or so?

Isolating is safer than testing, to answer your question

The only way to be completely safe is to self isolate for 14 days beforehand. You could always keep your DD off school next week to enable her to self isolate for 14 days.
I’m not advocating it before I get flamed! Just sayin

I think it's pointless isolating from the 18th - if you are worried about passing on the virus to grandparents, it has to be 14 days to be sure.