To say I STILL don’t understand isolation rules….

[user47000000000]

FIL has covid. Positive PCR on Dec 14th. Symptoms started 12/13th.

He was hoping to be out on 24th but he tested positive on LF tonight.

Is he a risk and does he need to stay isolated till he’s negative?

He might be showing as positive for 90 days after, but no he isn't a risk if he has done his 10 day stint of isolation.

Once his 10 days are up he can leave isolation. Doesn't need to be negative at that date.

No. He doesn’t need to stay in isolation providing he doesn’t have a temperature. He could test positive for weeks yet. The NHS website has a specific page about this question you might find useful

I tested positive on 12th and was free today. So he'll be fine tomorrow, honestly. Tell him to stop doing LFT as they'll give a false sense of worry. He won't be contagious anymore.

The only time you need to worry about a negative LFT is if you're following the new rules and test on day 6 and 7.

but surely that new rule that requires a negative on day 6-7 runs contrary to the info above potentially testing positive up to 90 days later - is it safe on day 6/7 or not?

The not testing up to 90 days later it’s pcr not lft. As soon as you have clear lft after having covid you can restart regular testing (I work in a hospital and this is what we encourage staff to do). Isolating is 10 days so long as no symptoms. You can “test and release” on day 7 if lft is clear - dh’s is clear so he’s left isolating one day early but dd3s was still faintly positive at day 7 (test done purely out of curiosity). She’s now reached day 10 and she’s negative.

brewandhoney don’t suppose you can link to the page?

I thought he’d be ok but we weren’t sure and didn’t want to run anyone else a risk on Xmas day.

I thought the possibility of positive results for 90 days applied to PCRs? I had symptoms on 15th, due to isolate up to and including Christmas Day but have had 2 negative lateral flows yesterday and today so am now free to stop isolating. If you’re within the 10 day period and still showing a positive lateral flow I think you still need to isolate, but if it’s past the date you are due to isolate until I think you can stop?

I thought +ve for 90days was PCR too…

That’s why we are a bit confused.

Can’t believe I’m confused after nearly 2 yrs of this shit

Can someone answer my question too please. Does the first day of isolation start from the first day the symptoms started? For example, first day of symptoms Mon 20th Dec, does that mean you are free on the 30th? It's slightly so confusing.
TIA

MERRY CHRISTMAS MUMSNETTERS 🎄🎅🎁

The day of symptoms is day 0 and its 10 full days counting from the day after. For your example you'd be free from midnight 30th and able to go out on the 31st

Popping back in case anyone’s still reading to say the advice here is WRONG!

Dr Friend of dr friend with specialism in infectious diseases says you’re still infectious till your PCR is negative.

Sorry, until your LATERAL FLOW IS NEGATIVE!!!!

Government advice is first day is day 0 and after day 10 you can end your isolation if you nologer have symptoms (except cough or loss of sense of tatse/smell). Alternatively if you have negative LFT on day 6 and 7 then you can leave your isolation.

Ok, you can listen to that. I was just popping back to share that an infectious diseases expert said if you’re still positive on LF even after 10 days then you’re infectious.

@user47000000000

Ok, you can listen to that. I was just popping back to share that an infectious diseases expert said if you’re still positive on LF even after 10 days then you’re infectious.

That may well be true but that is not guidance. Guidance is you finish isolation on day 10, you can only be released early if you have 2 negative LFT

@Fallagain

Government advice is first day is day 0 and after day 10 you can end your isolation if you nologer have symptoms (except cough or loss of sense of tatse/smell). Alternatively if you have negative LFT on day 6 and 7 then you can leave your isolation.

Yes I forgot that bit- 10 days with no symptoms!

Oh I wish there was an edit button, not 10 days of no symptoms but day 10 with no symptoms 🙄

@user47000000000

Ok, you can listen to that. I was just popping back to share that an infectious diseases expert said if you’re still positive on LF even after 10 days then you’re infectious.

Can you link to peer reviewed data on that. I'm sure you'll appreciate that anyone on the internet can say anything but without proof how do we know what is true?

@user47000000000

I thought +ve for 90days was PCR too…

That’s why we are a bit confused.

Can’t believe I’m confused after nearly 2 yrs of this shit

It’s because the rules on testing after a positive have changed with Omicron

You’re not confused after 2 years - you’re confused because of new rules

"You may be able to end your self-isolation period before the end of the 10 full days. You can take an LFD test from 6 days after the day your symptoms started (or the day your test was taken if you did not have symptoms), and another LFD test on the following day. The second LFD test should be taken at least 24 hours later. If both these test results are negative, and you do not have a high temperature, you may end your self-isolation after the second negative test result."

You should not take any more LFD tests after the 10th day of your isolation period and you may stop self-isolating after this day. This is because you are unlikely to be infectious after the 10th day of your isolation period. Even if you have a positive LFD test result on the 10th day of your self-isolation period you should not take any more LFD tests after this day. If you are concerned you may choose to keep following the above advice until 14 days after the start of your self-isolation period.

If you have previously received a positive COVID-19 PCR test result, you are usually advised not to take another PCR test within 90 days of this result. You should only have a PCR test within 90 days of a previous positive PCR test if you develop any new symptoms of COVID-19, if you have a positive LFD test result, or if you are required to take a PCR test upon entry into the UK." www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection#SymptomsPositiveTest

Elsewhere, it says:
The 90-day window after a positive test
If someone has tested positive with a PCR test, they should not be tested using either PCR or rapid lateral flow tests for 90 days, unless they develop new symptoms during this time – in which case they should be retested immediately using PCR.

This 90-day period is from the initial onset of symptoms or, if asymptomatic when tested, their positive test result. Gov.uk

I was told by t&t to not do any test unless new symptoms appear as both can still be positive. I swear they just make this up as they go along

Late to reply but no, he can end isolation after the 10 days is up even if he still has a line. I know people who have had covid and still have a line after days and weeks of isolation ending.