How does isolation work when you have a toddler?

[Onlyrainbows]

DH tested positive on a LFT, we're waiting for his PCR results now. We have a 2yo that goes to nursery, no more LFT available in the area so I can't test myself. DH is now isolating in one of the bedrooms until we get the PCR results. I start a job on Monday (WFH) but 2yo needs childcare. Our option 1 is that DH keeps isolating or option 2 is that we all isolate as a family. I think option 2 makes most sense. Also, what are the chances of positive LFT and negative PCR?

If you can't test your toddler, they really shouldn't be going to childcare. (As someone with a child in nursery, please don't send them in.)

I would assume you'll all get it and isolate as a family. You can order LFTs online - sometimes they're out of stock, but if you check back a few times they'll be available.

I've been checking for the past 15 hours and nothing :( My DH is adamant that he doesn't have anything and it's just a false positive (which I highly doubt).

Very unlikely to get a positive LFT and a negative PCR. I don’t think option 1 works in a family. We discussed it in advance and decided we wouldn’t do it even though DH was ECV.

What is your childcare provider’s policy on covid in the household?

This is the only thing I could find regarding their policy: Children under 5 are exempt from self-isolation and do not need to take part in daily testing if they are a close contact of somebody with COVID-19.

Which implies the 2yo would be ok to attend nursery.

DH and I had COVID and 3yo was allowed back to nursery if she had a negative PCR.

However, we couldn't actually take her there, so - despite her negative PCR - she couldn't go in anyway.

We tested her a couple of times with an LFT while we were isolating and she never got it, interestingly (despite going to nursery throughout most of the pandemic and being out and about she doesn't seem to have caught it yet)

Getting you a test is the priority as it's quite likely you have it. Have you tried asking on a local FB group or asking local friends to drop one round?

If it was me, I'd try to stick to option 1 to reduce the chance of you & toddler getting it as much as possible. You won't be able to start a (new?) Job on Monday with a toddler around so ideally they need to go to nursery. It isn't a given that you will both get it either, but i understand the lack of LFT doesn't help prove that.

Could you get a PCR tomorrow/Friday aiming to get result by Monday morning? Chances are if you haven't caught it by then DC won't either

That's a good idea about local FB group. Unfortunately no local family (and most of our friends live a few miles away) . My DH is almost asymptomatic and the 2yo hasn't shown any symptoms (nor have I) so a tiny little bit hopeful in that way, although I still feel silly to keep DH isolating in one room hoping that we haven't caught it