Advice on test to release later flows - rules

[Claddinghell]

I have covid. Fairly sure was exposed on friday as I helped in an emergency situation and the person tested positive on Saturday. My Symptoms started Sunday and took a PCR on Monday. I had been doing lateral flows which were negative. Just needed to be sure as I lost my taste. Been isolating since Sunday night.

Results came back positive on Tuesday. Been isolating as feeling rotten. Woke up today feeling fine, except taste not back. Did a lateral flow (day 4) and got a big fat positive.

I know the legal requirements are removed and we are advised to isolate for 5 days. Previous rules allowed us to be released in day 6 if two negative lateral flows.

Do lateral flows become more faint if the virus is less present? Tye new rules state isolate if you can for 5 days? I have a few activities on the Saturday I would like to go to, but accept I can’t if still positive.

So I ask do the lateral flows become less faint over time? Do I isolate for 5 days and go out despite lateral flows as that’s what the government say is ok? What happens if y lateral flows don’t ever become negative? This happened to a few friends and track and trace said ignore after 10 days.

What rules do I follow? I don’t want to be a superspreader.

Wait until tests are negative/day 10 if they continue to show positive

And if you can’t get tests?

I think the new rules are going to be 5 days for adults and 3 days for under 18s (I think, I may be wrong).

I have no idea if current cases will keep the old rules or adopt the new rules.

@FluffyScarves

And if you can’t get tests?

Then you spread covid. But that’s the government fault not the individual if they can’t get tests or afford tests.

I’m on day 10. They did get fainter and today it’s faint. I will still go out today but only outside and certainly won’t mix indoors. And I’m working at home

But I’m lucky that I’ve got covid now when I can still get tests.

I had a positive lateral flow test last Thursday as I woke up with a mild sore throat and a slight runny nose. I've been testing positive since but the line is more faint than it was at the beginning. I know guidelines have changed but because I work in a GP surgery I've got to have 2 negative tests or wait until day 10. I'm fed up with it all because I didn't have classic covid symptoms and the symptoms I did have went at least 4 days ago but rules are rules.

Thanks. It’s confusing as the rules state you don’t need to legally isolate but…

Suggest testing from day 5. That’s tomorrow

Did anyone go from a strong positive to nothing in a day? I live in hope.

What country are you in? That probably makes a difference.

@Claddinghell

Thanks. It’s confusing as the rules state you don’t need to legally isolate but…

Suggest testing from day 5. That’s tomorrow

Did anyone go from a strong positive to nothing in a day? I live in hope.

None of this is legal anymore. It’s guidance.

It’s a bit like chicken pox - If your child has chicken pox you wait until the spots have scabbed over before they can go back to school.

So same here. Once you stop testing positive for two days in a row or day 10, then you can mix again.

If you choose not to; then at least tell people you’ve done that or stick outdoors etc so they can make their choices.

The "responsible" thing to do is probably to follow whatever the rules were before they scrapped them all.

@SoupDragon England, but the rules change.

My work say I can’t come in till 2 negative lateral flows or at day 10. I can work from home, but off ill at the moment.

I only have 4 lateral flows left. So hopefully I test negative soon