To not be able to work out when to let DD out after Covid

[Dearreader]

Please can someone advise as I cannot seem to find the correct guidance.

DD 15 tested positive on lateral flow 12 days ago.
Positive PCR 11 days ago.
Some symptoms, loss of taste, smell, aches, sniffles.
She is still positive on lateral flow.
Can she go out? NHS Test and Trace said she can go out from 10 days. Is she testing positive but no longer contagious?

I think you can test positive for quite some time after getting it, like 90 days.

She could well test pos for 3 months.

After 10 days, she's allowed out

I understood it was 10 days from first sign of symptoms. Not sure what you do if she still has symptoms though

Yes she can go out. You can’t take another PCR within 90 days of a positive result as they are likely to still show as positive (this happened to me, I was admitted to hosp 13 days after a positive PCR and the hospital also did a pcr which was positive.

The email from the NHS confirming her positive PCR should tell you that she shouldn't take a PCR or a lateral flow for 90 days after a positive PCR as the likelihood of still getting positive readings are high. Provided she no longer has a temperture/fever then she is free after 10 post the first positive test. (Cough/loss of taste/smell can last a while after that).

She can go out after 10 days even if symptomatic (not if feverish) as long as she feels OK. Cough and loss of taste can last a long time.

X post @LittleOwl153

She can go out now. 10 days from symptoms.

You're still supposed to isolate past 10 days if certain symptoms persist: runny nose, sneezing, temperature, diarrhoea.

You're exempt from LF tests for 90 days as they can continue being positive for some time. Also cough and loss of sense of smell/taste can last for longer.

Day 0 is the date of the test, then days 1 to 10, and then she can go out on day 11.

I have a similar question. My Dd got covid first, so we did tests for the rest of the family on day 2 and DS came back positive. The next day we noticed symptoms (very mild, a slightly high temp very briefly and generally bunged up). So are we counting from the test or the symptoms when we work out his isolation?

Thank you everybody

@Simplelobsterhat

I have a similar question. My Dd got covid first, so we did tests for the rest of the family on day 2 and DS came back positive. The next day we noticed symptoms (very mild, a slightly high temp very briefly and generally bunged up). So are we counting from the test or the symptoms when we work out his isolation?

Count from the positive test. The rest of you should also test again on day 8 of your DDs isolation if you were negative on day 2 (I was positive, DH/DS neg on my day 2 but pos by my day 8)

Thanks For all. Yes we will get day 8 tests. I'm wondering if we should also get tests on day 8 since DS test ie 2 days later, or just focus on the first household case?

@mocktail
‘You're still supposed to isolate past 10 days if certain symptoms persist: runny nose, sneezing, temperature, diarrhoea.’

Where did you find that? The guidance I’ve read says if d and V stay in for two days after last episode and if temperature but nothing else?

@Noeuf Track and Trace told me that, too.

This is the message I received today about my DD. It says to only keep isolating if you have a temperature.

NHS COVID-19 Notification: Dear DD

It's been a few days since your positive coronavirus test result.

Make sure you and the people you live with continue to self-isolate for 10 days. This includes the day your symptoms started (or the test date if you've no symptoms) and the next 10 full days.

If you're already self-isolating from a previous lateral flow test, this includes the day you had that test and the next 10 full days.

If the people you live with get symptoms, they must self-isolate from the day their symptoms started and for the next 10 full days.

You can return to work the day after you finish self-isolating if you've not had a high temperature in 48 hours, even if you still have a cough. Contact your employer first.

Care home residents who test positive must self-isolate for 14 days.

For medical help, contact 111. In an emergency dial 999

Thanks both. It’s a bit unclear maybe. I had another look the guidance says to stop isolating if you only have a cough/loss of taste. Maybe it’s implicit then. Healthcare guidance says only keep isolating with a temperature.

Yes 10 days from positive test or symptoms, whichever was earliest. So the first day of symptoms was day 0, then self isolate from 10 days. She can leave the house on day 11.

@Noeuf that's what test and trace told me and other family members

On the phone test & trace say you can go out after 10 days (well it’s 11 really) unless you have a temperature, diarrhoea, nausea or vomiting, runny nose or sneezing.

Thank you, so basically no symptoms except cough and loss of taste (dh is +ve since Friday and no calls yet).