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Original poster

What happens after a positive PCT

27 replies

notacooldad · 27/09/2021 11:01

Me and a few colleagues are all poorly. I took a few days off last week feeling ill. I had taken 3 lat flows but all negative. Dh was positive on Friday.
I've just done another test. Still negative.
Is it worth going to a centre for another test?
What are the rules around work if you are in close contact with someone with covid. That is, I know I'll have to go off sick but is there a minimum period of isolation in place. Does the 'ping' notification in place still operate.
I've not expressed myself well, I'm fuzzy headed at the mo!!!

OP posts:
BlibBlabBlob · 27/09/2021 11:08

So you haven't had a PCR test yet, but you're feeling ill and your DH currently has COVID-19?

Book yourself a PCR test for today.

If you have COVID-19 (based on that test result) then you must self-isolate for 10 days.

Nobody else in your household or with whom you have been in close contact needs to self-isolate unless they have symptoms, in which case they should isolate and get themselves a PCR test.

All asymptomatic close contacts and household members are advised to get a PCR, but it's not compulsory (and not always super helpful, as they could get a negative PCR one day but become infectious the next day).

The only close contacts / household members who DO need to self-isolate even if asymptomatic are those who are over 18 but not double vaccinated.

MiloAndEddie · 27/09/2021 11:08

If you are double jabbed the gov guidelines are currently that you do not have to isolate after being in close contact with a positive case.
Have you done a PCR test or just lateral flow tests?

Original poster
notacooldad · 27/09/2021 11:11

Have you done a PCR test or just lateral flow tests?
Just lat flow.
I've been too I'll to leave the house. I seemed to brighten up yesterday afternoon and thought about going to get tested as well as get some fresh air and then crashed again. Started feeling cold with no energy. That's the only reason I've not had the PCT done.

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Covid-19
Fallagain · 27/09/2021 11:12

If your under 18 or double jabbed then you don’t need to isolate but you are strongly encouraged to have a PCR test. However your own work place may have different rules in place. As you are ill then I would say you should definitely get a PCR test. You can do a postal one if easier but that’s take an extra day before you get the result.

bonbonours · 27/09/2021 11:19

Get a PCR!

BlibBlabBlob · 27/09/2021 11:36

Order a PCR test online. The extra time involved (getting it sent, sending it back again) isn't an issue if you're too ill to leave the house anyway.

And I hope you feel better soon. :-)

thetrolleywitch · 27/09/2021 11:43

Get a PCR! The last few people that I have known to have a positive PCR all had negative lateral flow.

daisyjgrey · 27/09/2021 12:48

18 months into this fandango and still the eternal struggle.

Yes. Get a PCR. Get a postal one if you're too ill to get to the test centre.

Original poster
notacooldad · 27/09/2021 12:54

I've ordered one on line.
My friend text me just now saying she had a couple of Lat Flow test that are negative but have had a positive PCT.

Does the ' ping' still inform others that have been in close contact. I've not heard anyone mention it recently.

OP posts:
BlibBlabBlob · 27/09/2021 15:25

I have no idea about the 'ping' but if you get a positive PCR I presume the Test & Trace folk will be in touch to find out your recent close contacts. Just ask them the question at that point?

I'd be surprised if anyone was still actively using that app, to be honest... at least not using the contract tracing facility.

NanFlanders · 27/09/2021 15:26

I got a ping last week.

bonbonours · 27/09/2021 23:35

Don't know about the app as I don't have it. But test and trace still ask for your close contacts when you test positive on PCR. Then they ring them up and inform them. But I couldn't give details for most of mine as I had been in contact with lots of strangers!

But for most people (double jabbed or under 18) being a close contact doesn't mean you have to isolate, just that they recommend you take a PCR test.

Original poster
notacooldad · 28/09/2021 18:08

I went to the testing station and had it done today.
I couldn't believe it hurts less ( or should I say it's less uncomfortable) than when I do it!
Test registered so waiting for results. Interestingly I did another lat flow and it is now positive. I have been doing them daily and they all have been negative up until now.

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 28/09/2021 18:11

@notacooldad

Have you done a PCR test or just lateral flow tests? Just lat flow. I've been too I'll to leave the house. I seemed to brighten up yesterday afternoon and thought about going to get tested as well as get some fresh air and then crashed again. Started feeling cold with no energy. That's the only reason I've not had the PCT done.
You can get postal tests so not being able to leave the house isn't an excuse LFTs aren't accurate enough to rule out covid
dementedpixie · 28/09/2021 18:12

@notacooldad

I've ordered one on line. My friend text me just now saying she had a couple of Lat Flow test that are negative but have had a positive PCT.

Does the ' ping' still inform others that have been in close contact. I've not heard anyone mention it recently.

Only if you tell the app your test is positive and others are still using the app
dementedpixie · 28/09/2021 18:14

LFTs have a high false negative rate which is why they can't be used to rule out a covid infection if you have symptoms

QueenofLouisiana · 28/09/2021 18:15

If/ when the PCR comes back positive you have to enter the test code they send you into the app. That will ping others (I pinged a lot of people last week).
DS tested negative several times in the 24hrs leading up to a positive PCR.
Once the PCR comes back there is a much more in-depth track and trace system to go through- took about 30 mins. We also had phone calls from our GP, the surgery paramedic team and our local county council. The first day was quite busy.

Original poster
notacooldad · 28/09/2021 18:21

You can get postal tests so not being able to leave the house isn't an excuse
I went to the central car park in the city where they are testing. I feel miles better than yesterday.

If/ when the PCR comes back positive you have to enter the test code they send you into the app. That will ping others
Who is it going to ping.
I haven't seen anyone in 9 days apart from DH and Ds2?

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 28/09/2021 18:25

It was you that asked about the ping aspect though. We're just telling you how it works.

dementedpixie · 28/09/2021 18:26

It also depends when your symptoms started as close contacts are those in contact in the 2 days before symptoms began

Sparkesy · 28/09/2021 18:27

I know 3 different people who have had multiple negative lateral flows with cold symptoms and gone on to have positive PCRs
Lat flows are not reliable

zaffa · 28/09/2021 18:37

@BlibBlabBlob

So you haven't had a PCR test yet, but you're feeling ill and your DH currently has COVID-19?

Book yourself a PCR test for today.

If you have COVID-19 (based on that test result) then you must self-isolate for 10 days.

Nobody else in your household or with whom you have been in close contact needs to self-isolate unless they have symptoms, in which case they should isolate and get themselves a PCR test.

All asymptomatic close contacts and household members are advised to get a PCR, but it's not compulsory (and not always super helpful, as they could get a negative PCR one day but become infectious the next day).

The only close contacts / household members who DO need to self-isolate even if asymptomatic are those who are over 18 but not double vaccinated.

I thought you only gout out of isolating as a close contact of you were under 18 or double vaxxed? It's not everyone I don't think.
zaffa · 28/09/2021 18:39

Sorry @BlibBlabBlob I misread your post! Please ignore me

SquareYellow · 28/09/2021 18:40

I would out of courtesy let you work colleagues know who you were in contact with for 3 days before your symptoms started, not before positive PCR.

Original poster
notacooldad · 28/09/2021 18:45

I would out of courtesy let you work colleagues know who you were in contact with for 3 days before your symptoms started, not before positive PCR.
That would be absolutely no one then!
I haven't been into work for 13 days.

OP posts: