To ask if I need a covid test?!

[Apollostar1]

Background -

I'm due to start a new job at a hospital setting on Monday, brand new job, super anxious.

My DP's brothers friends who hes been in contact with directly, tested positive. He is yet to get a test as just found out today.

We have been in the house both weekends (this and last) as they were looking after our DD to get her used to returning to work and being away.

He is yet to test obviously, but, I now assume they'll all need to test.

What do we need to do? He obviously hasn't had a positive test, but, I don't want to go to work, potentially shut down a hospital if I have to test and we test positive in a few days!

No symptoms bar a banging headache and a slightly upset stomach.

Do we test? Isolate? Just carry on as normal til his brother gets his results?

@feminist10101 No need to be sarcastic for a start. It's a geniune question as no where states anything. They have still be in contact with each other directly, sat in the same room, cuddled, eaten dinner etc etc. So, if he has it, she more than likely has! And we have been in direct contact with her, so. I think this is ia pretty valid reason to be concerned and to ask!

@jontysmum assuming your DH won't test at all? Only taken to isolating because of your test? So, now I just hold out for their results. Fthanks

Thats it exactly. My symptoms started last Sunday. So I'm now day 7. It's been very mild and I'm practically better so would imagine I will be fine by Tuesday. Touch wood he's ok so far but will sit it out the full 14 days to be safe.

@Feminist10101

It’s not airborne for a start

What are your credentials for stating this?

Many scientists disagree, not least of all these

In an open letter to WHO, more than 200 scientists have argued that there is enough evidence now to show that COVID-19 can spread as aerosols which they say could explain ‘super spreader events’ where an entire choir or restaurant has become infected at once. The virus being airborne would have major implications for controlling the disease, especially as lockdown measures are being lifted in many countries and schools, gyms and restaurants are opening

You carry on as normal. You would only test if you had covid symptoms. You isolate if you had close contact with a positive case in the 48 hours before they got symptoms

The only info you need is on the official Public Health/government websites.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-for-contacts-of-people-with-possible-or-confirmed-coronavirus-covid-19-infection-who-do-not-live-with-the-person/guidance-for-contacts-of-people-with-possible-or-confirmed-coronavirus-covid-19-infection-who-do-not-live-with-the-person

www.gov.uk/government/collections/coronavirus-covid-19-list-of-guidance

@mjmg2015 Yes, public transport for me, nearly an hour journey and 2 sets of PT. But yes, from this response, Ill continue as normal til they get their results back. Just frustrating, not knowing as such!

@Jontysmum

I'm glad you are feeling it was a mild case & you feel you're on the mend.

I'm confused about this though...

Why wouldn't someone in your DG's position need to isolate for 14 days after you get a negative test? As surely
he could feasibly get it anytime you've still got it, couldn't he? You're not only able to pass it in the first day you get symptoms...

I don't think the 'rules' are as robust as they need to be!

[quote AmelieTaylor]@Feminist10101

It’s not airborne for a start

What are your credentials for stating this?

Many scientists disagree, not least of all these

In an open letter to WHO, more than 200 scientists have argued that there is enough evidence now to show that COVID-19 can spread as aerosols which they say could explain ‘super spreader events’ where an entire choir or restaurant has become infected at once. The virus being airborne would have major implications for controlling the disease, especially as lockdown measures are being lifted in many countries and schools, gyms and restaurants are opening[/quote]
I’m working with national public health experts on a daily basis.

From the article you quoted (but didn’t reference)

“ In a response, WHO maintains that aerosol-generating procedures performed in healthcare settings are the most likely way for the virus to be spread as an airborne aerosol. It acknowledges that the idea that the virus could spread as a ‘short-range aerosol’ in crowded and inadequately ventilated spaces over a prolonged period of time with infected people present “cannot be ruled out.” But it says that droplet transmission could explain these as well, especially if people weren’t wearing masks or maintaining physical distance.

“Another reason that WHO is uncomfortable with the airborne theory is the R number of the virus, which does not seem to suggest airborne infection. Measles, which is airborne has an R of 18 while COVID is around 2-5, which seems also to suggest droplets as primary transmission. If COVID were airborne, the spread should be much quicker.”

@BestOption yes I see your point. I won't be taking another test to prove I'm Covid negative. I guess the assumption is that I'll not be contagious if I've no symptoms after a week, and then my husband will isolate for a further week. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

If everyone who had been in touch with someone who had been in contact with someone with a positive test had to self isolate there would be nobody outside.

^that

@Jontysmum you isolate for 10 days as you have symptoms. Your dh isolates for 14 days as thats the incubation period

Although if he gets symtoms and test positive then he isolates for a further 10 days

It's just confusing is all. Yes, there would be no one outside. But, I'm sure you'd feel differently if someone who could potentially have covid went and looked after your loved ones. I know I wouldn't be best happy if someone did the same!

@Feminist10101

I’m working with national public health experts on a daily basis

What do you actually do?

Working 'with them', could be anything.

You criticised me for not including the reference. But neither did you when you stated it was not airborne.

You have not referenced it either.

And you have omitted the bit where the WHO said it's possible & changed their guidance.

🤷🏻‍♀️

Anyway, it's all getting a bit off topic now anyway.

What do you actually do?

Working 'with them', could be anything.

Trying not to be too outing, but I’m responsible for translating their scientific/clinical advice directly into processes to ensure the safety of 90,000 NHS staff and their patients. My day starts with a video call with all manner of experts to check whether any emerging guidance changes NHS practice.

So if they discover a higher incidence/spread amongst people called Rita, Sue and Bob or people who chew gum it’s me that decides how we make sure that risk is managed immediately and acts on it. (Not a real example, obviously.)

They are currently happy that any risk of it being airborne is covered by adherence to social distancing and where not possible in the clinical environment, appropriate use of PPE.