Son tested positive

[us3rn]

Son who lives at home has tested positive on a lateral flow test. He downloaded the app to log it and his isolation period has started. He has to take another test to confirm.

However, I have the app and wonder why I haven't been notified to self isolate yet? He logged it last night. How long does it usually take?

@us3rn

Son who lives at home has tested positive on a lateral flow test. He downloaded the app to log it and his isolation period has started. He has to take another test to confirm.

However, I have the app and wonder why I haven't been notified to self isolate yet? He logged it last night. How long does it usually take?

Won’t you be notified when the ‘proper’ test he now needs to take comes up positive?

Well I should think so, but I was under the impression we'd have to self isolate now from the lateral flow test, is that incorrect?

Yes you need to isolate from now, in case the PCR is positive. But there are lots of false positive (and negatives) with lateral flows.

Why did he bother downloading the app to log it? If he’s only just downloaded the app then it won’t have been logging people he’s come into contact with/places he’s been beforehand so there won’t be anyone to contact trace.

I assumed that a positive LFT is just the start and the proper test would be the decider. If that’s positive then the contact isolating happens. I am no expert though.

He should go and take a PCR test at a test centre, and isolate until that result comes back. The rest of the family should also isolate until the result comes back. If the PCR result come back positive the whole household should isolate from the date of the positive PCR or the date symptoms started, whichever is earlier.

Official guidance here

I'm not sure why he didn't have the app sooner, but the text from the lft said to download the app and to log it there.

Thank you everyone! Very helpful

Has your son got the app? Unless he has the app as well I don’t think your app would know you have been in contact. I think that’s how it works.

The rules are 100% for the whole household to isolate from the start of symptoms and/or the positive test (PCR or lateral flow), whichever comes first. The app/track and trace system are to help identify people who may not know they have come into contact with a positive case. You live with your son so obviously you have been in contact with him, why would you wait for the app!?

Sorry just read your message above! Please ignore mine

The app to log tests is totally different than the NHS app that logs whether you have been in close proximity to someone who has tested positive.