Totally confused now (Sorry, it’s a Covid one)

[DoesSheDoesntShe]

DS met up with his friend yesterday. They spent the entire day together in town. Ate out together and went shopping.

Today DS’s friend took a Covid test for work and tested positive. No symptoms.
The friend’s colleague also tested positive today. DS does not know the colleague.

DS has tested negative as have I.

DS’s friend is isolating
DS’s friend’s family is isolating.

We have different information from different people:

1. DS should isolate for 10 days (online info)
2. DS does not have to isolate if he tests negative as he is not a family member - but, he can if he wants to (the test centre DS’s friend went to - he asked what his friends should do)
3. As number 2 (NHS worker)

So, what does DS do? Isolate or not?

AIBU to think WTH? Conflicting advice or what?

If you work for the NHS or KNOW the actual rules please please reply!

I thought DS needed to isolate for 10 days and now don’t know what to think.

Although ‘around the 5 day mark’ is a new one.

I’m not sure there’s anything official regarding day 5 (not seen anything) but I did read that day 5 is the most common day for symptoms to start and for the patient to be shedding the virus therefore making the test results more accurate - hopefully someone more medically trained can explain it better than I.

@greenlynx

This confusion occurred because the guidance was written before LF tests were introduced. And the LF tests were introduced when the close contacts were restricted. No one could go out and spent the day with a friend going into restaurants and places, say 3 months ago. so they’ve only put “household members” in the guidance whereas in reality it should be “close contacts“ . The guidance clearly needs updating.

I’m amazed if it isn’t constantly updated!

Both on-line and in T&T centres /GP surgeries!

MAYBE the T&T and NHS staff have been given shiny new guidance re. cutting short the 10 days and are indeed correct.
MAYBE the NHS website hasn’t been updated?

Who the hell knows! 😅

Either way, DS will isolate until told not to by ‘the APP’ ! (Because that’s working so well...)

Op you keep repeating the same thing. We understand you have been given conflicting information but you should use the appropriate official resource I.e the guidelines which you say you understand

What is your point?

@OrangeSharked

Op you keep repeating the same thing. We understand you have been given conflicting information but you should use the appropriate official resource I.e the guidelines which you say you understand

What is your point?

I’m replying to people who haven’t RTFT and therefore don’t know that I have said the same thing several times. What’s your point?

Only take a pcr test if you have symptoms.

No guidance changed on Tuesday. Anyone who has had contact with a positive case can now have a PCR test.

Just to add OrangeSharked
If You yourself had RTFT you will know that the conversation has moved on.

I have been talking about the fact that everyone needs to give out the same guidance. That some people can only access verbal guidance and if this is wrong everything goes tits up.

There you go orange - you got me repeating myself yet again!

@DrunkenKoala

Only take a pcr test if you have symptoms.

No guidance changed on Tuesday. Anyone who has had contact with a positive case can now have a PCR test.

This is what we were told by T&T and GP surgery. 👍🏻

@DoesSheDoesntShe
I think the confusion about being released from isolation after a day 5 test is coming from confusing the guidance about those who have to isolate when returning from abroad. THEY can pay for an additional day 5 test and end isolation early. It's nothing to do with the guidance about being a close contact.

In NI we are being asked to immediately book a PCR test if you are a close contact, regardless of symptoms. But it doesn't alter the 10 day isolation. That still has to happen.

The rest of your family won't have to isolate unless your ds develops symptoms.

Family members are irrelevant ,so no idea why they're saying it. If you've had close contact with someone who has tested positive then you have 10 days self isolation. It's still on the gov.uk website.

[quote MadeForThis]@DoesSheDoesntShe
I think the confusion about being released from isolation after a day 5 test is coming from confusing the guidance about those who have to isolate when returning from abroad. THEY can pay for an additional day 5 test and end isolation early. It's nothing to do with the guidance about being a close contact.

In NI we are being asked to immediately book a PCR test if you are a close contact, regardless of symptoms. But it doesn't alter the 10 day isolation. That still has to happen.

The rest of your family won't have to isolate unless your ds develops symptoms. [/quote]

This.
A lot of the confusion is the difference between whether you are isolating through contact with a positive case or because you have arrived from abroad. Different scenarios, different rules.

Here are up to date guidelines

www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-test-and-trace-how-it-works?priority-taxon=774cee22-d896-44c1-a611-e3109cce8eae#part-2-people-who-have-had-close-contact-with-someone-who-has-covid-19

[quote Torvean]Here are up to date guidelines

www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-test-and-trace-how-it-works?priority-taxon=774cee22-d896-44c1-a611-e3109cce8eae#part-2-people-who-have-had-close-contact-with-someone-who-has-covid-19[/quote]
Thank you!
As someone said upthread, the most important point is:
It is crucial that you complete your 10-day self-isolation period if you’ve been identified as a contact, even if you get a negative test result.

I think you’re right PennyRoyal

and MadeForThis

It isn't necessarily a problem if there is a small delay in notifying close contacts between a postive lateral flow and a confirmatory PCR as exposure does not mean you are suddenly infectious.

The incubation period is on average 5 days. You are contagious just before you develop symptoms (so on average day 4)

This is why a PCR test on day 5 after exposure is a good idea - as it will pick up asymptomatic cases.

5 days is only an average - hence the 10 day isolation period - though likelihood of developing covid after average incubation drops quite noticeably. (Reason they shifted it from 14 to 10 days.)

So in answer to OP's original question.

Friend needed to have a confirmatory PCR.

Given the postive LF - morally DS should isolate (as they know they will be a close contact, and given transmissabilty of delta virus)

Once PCR confirmed - DS continue to isolate - but also advised PCR at 5/6 days (whether symptomatic or not) This will stop any asymptomatic transmission.

No one else in DS household needs to isolate - unless the voluntary PCR comes back postive.

And yes - DS needs to do full 10 days.

Unless co-opted into studies that are running to release some people earlier with negative PCRs. (But he would know if this was the case as he would have to agree!!)

MrsFrisbyMouse

Thank you!

Thank you so much for your detailed explanation! Makes perfect sense.

@MrsFrisbyMouse

And yes - DS needs to do full 10 days.

Unless co-opted into studies that are running to release some people earlier with negative PCRs. (But he would know if this was the case as he would have to agree!!)

Maybe that’s where the confusion lies.

Right... next question (and probably a whole new thread #MrsFrisbymouse)

I need to cancel the decorator painting the hall, landing, stairs next Monday don’t I?

DH, Other ‘child’ and I will be at work.
DS will be isolating at home.

*100%

For example:
DS’s friend gets positive PCR today
Doesn’t name DS as a contact
DS goes about his business as normal

This won’t happen but I bet it’s happening A LOT*

Absolutely. I know DH’s friend was asked who were you near and for contact details so 100% open to lies.

Btw... I think I do.

I’m afraid you do. No one other than household members are allowed in.
That’s rotten luck!

Jumping
Absolutely. I know DH’s friend was asked who were you near and for contact details so 100% open to lies

It’s rubbish isn’t it?

@Jumpingintosummer

I’m afraid you do. No one other than household members are allowed in. That’s rotten luck!

It’s just awful isn’t it?

It really is. DH has zero symptoms and a negative test but we have cancelled this coming weekend away to celebrate the end of DC’s exams, postponed the boiler service and DH’s second covid jab.
Better being on the safe side though.