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Original poster

Positive LFT but not taking PCR?

127 replies

DeerMyDear · 27/12/2021 21:10

My SIL has had a positive LFT and intends on not being in contact with anyone for then next 7-10 days (she lives alone). However, she’s decided not to take a PCR. She says she can’t see the benefit - she has (mild) covid, so doesn’t need confirmation of that. And a PCR test will put her in the system and she could be fined if she breaks any isolation rules.

She isn’t breaking the law as having a PCR test isn’t a legal requirement (isolating after getting a positive PCR is legal requirement), but it does feel like it’s going against the grain.

Any thoughts most welcome.

OP posts:
tttigress · 28/12/2021 12:49

I know a couple that "did the right thing", and got PCR tested.

In the end they wished they hadn't, being called at 8am every morning to ask their condition, not being able to leave the house for 10 days even though recovered towards the end.

This has lead to one of their relatives doing exactly what your sister is doing, just self isolating alone.

The government need to change the system if they want people to effectively register their Covid status via a PCR test.

LethargicActress · 28/12/2021 13:20

It's fine.

Even people who do test positive on PCR aren't being honest with T&T about their contacts because they don't want to put their friends, family and colleagues through all the palava, especially when all they have is a minor cold. Can't blame them really

LessTime · 28/12/2021 13:33

I've been contacted as a contact by T&T. - it's a bit dramatic calling it a 'palaver'. As for a pp complaining that it took 35 mins for t&t to go through their questions I don't think that's too bad at all. They need to find out where you have been and when. If you are isolating then for MOST people they will have 35 mins to spare.

Some posters are fixated that T&T are a policing organisation but their main aim is to cut infection levels - and letting people know they have been in contact with someone who has COVID is a huge part of it.

shinynewapple21 · 28/12/2021 14:51

This thread has been useful reading . I would not have considered the issue of ongoing positives on a PCR being a problem for travel - but of course they may be. I frequently do LFTs but otherwise may have not bothered with a PCR as I can isolate anyway . Would definitely do now.

shinynewapple21 · 28/12/2021 14:58

@BluebellsGreenbells

PCR testing has been dropped here in favor of LFT and self registration.

They have been redeployed to vaccine as many people as possible.

PCR is available for travel - if you pay and hospital admissions

We have over 500 positive LFT and under 50 PCR positives.

However as only PCR testing is registered as positive cases - it looks like we’ve beaten it to the outside world.

That's interesting @BluebellsGreenbells Where do you live ?

IDontLikeMyself · 28/12/2021 15:43

not being able to leave the house for 10 days even though recovered towards the end

You’re implying that, if they hadn’t done a PCR and weren’t being contacted by T&T, they would have gone out and about because they felt well @tttigress

Knowing someone who, with to the new 7 day of two clear LFT, was still testing positive until day 11, I find that quite alarming.

Getyourjinglebellsinarow · 28/12/2021 15:45

I've just been trying to order one. Can only get one at a drive through an hour away! 😩

DukkaTheHallsWithBoughsOfHolly · 28/12/2021 15:50

T&T called us twice, it was hardly harassment. They didn’t contact a lot of our contacts either, which seemed pointless giving the information over.

PugInTheHouse · 28/12/2021 19:41

35 mins out of my working day is actually a huge inconvenience, I had done it once for DS and I hadn't been in contact with anyone different to him so still don't think I was wrong not doing the PCR. I would have had to do a further one for DS2 also.

PugInTheHouse · 28/12/2021 19:42

A couple of weeks after I had covid I was logged as a close contact also, they called me 5 times a day for 2 days, I was really
busy so didn't answer. On the 3rd day I answered and said I was too busy to talk to them. They didn't call again though.

LethargicActress · 28/12/2021 22:49

Some posters are fixated that T&T are a policing organisation but their main aim is to cut infection levels - and letting people know they have been in contact with someone who has COVID is a huge part of it.

You’re assuming that everyone wants to know if they’ve been in contact. At this point in the pandemic, after two years, vaccines and plenty of evidence of mild illness, plenty of people would rather not be contact traced because they can’t afford to isolate, and don’t want to.

BettyOBarley · 28/12/2021 22:53

Sounds fine to me if she's planning to isolate properly, however this part of your post makes me think she's not...

"and she could be fined if she breaks any isolation rules."

LittleMousewithcloggson · 28/12/2021 23:02

I’m on the fence. I had a PCR and tested positive. Whole family was ill and track and trace phoned every day - sometimes at 7am. If didn’t answer they kept phoning and emailing. Worse thing was I was getting 3 separate calls some days as my phone number was linked to my children’s cases so they phoned me about them too. System doesn’t let them link cases apparently so had to go through same info over and over again to different people. Last thing you want to do when you feel really ill.
Would now think twice about getting a PCR if was in same situation at a later (after 90 days) but would of course isolate

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 28/12/2021 23:07

I’d want it on my records too

I also agree that “could be fined if she breaks isolation rules” suggests she plans to! Conversely, I would be happy getting the PCR as I wouldn’t be planning to break any rules. You can put down the day symptoms started so your isolation isn’t longer if you test a bit later.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 28/12/2021 23:08

I wouldn’t be answering the phone to them early in the morning though! Luckily I don’t have a landline as my mobile would be off - the thing I needed when I had covid was sleep!

Darbs76 · 28/12/2021 23:11

If she plans to travel in next 6 months it might be useful to her

BurntO · 28/12/2021 23:14

As an adult I would. My children had covid and I didn’t test/retest them as they find it traumatic.

I am an adult with a life that easily allows me to take time to do PCR tests. Not everyone does so I don’t massively judge

Sn0tnose · 28/12/2021 23:19

She’ll be lucky to get one I think. I’ve just tried to order one through the NHS site and there are no home testing kits available and no spaces at testing sites.

GabriellaMontez · 28/12/2021 23:20

Seems like it would be a waste of test to do a pcr.

DonnaMae · 29/12/2021 00:35

I honestly don’t blame her and don’t think she’s doing anything wrong - the calls from Track and Trace are absolutely relentless and I don’t blame anyone who wants to avoid them, especially if you’re already feeling crap! When my sister had a positive PCR she was living with me. She felt awful and just needed to sleep, but every time she managed to nod off the bloody phone would ring...not exactly conducive to recovery!

LessTime · 29/12/2021 00:48

@LethargicActress

Some posters are fixated that T&T are a policing organisation but their main aim is to cut infection levels - and letting people know they have been in contact with someone who has COVID is a huge part of it.

You’re assuming that everyone wants to know if they’ve been in contact. At this point in the pandemic, after two years, vaccines and plenty of evidence of mild illness, plenty of people would rather not be contact traced because they can’t afford to isolate, and don’t want to.

Your assumption about what I’m assuming is completely wrong.
Erictheavocado · 29/12/2021 06:58

[quote chiefcha]@MolkosTeenageAngst there's a QR code on the LFT. Have you never wondered what that was for? [/quote]
The instruction booklet for the lft has a notice at the bottom of every page telling you to report your result. Or have you never read the instructions either?

TenThousandSpoons · 29/12/2021 07:06

Three of our household have had covid and each time it was just one call from T&T at the beginning to take down our contacts (quite a long slow call) but then no hassling after that. No further calls for the kids and I think just one more call for me near the end of isolating to say nearly there, thanks for isolating and glad you’re starting to feel better. Just wanted to post as it’s not always the case that T&T hound you when you have a positive PCR.

dairyfarmerswife · 29/12/2021 07:26

Having tested positive on Christmas Day, T&T seems now to be an online form which you fill in, listing contacts/movements etc. Had hardly been anywhere, and had no visitors in my infectious period but went Christmas shopping in the period I could have picked it up so that took a bit of time but the form is open for several days so no time pressure to fill in.

When both DC tested positive in early November T&T phoned four days later for one child and not at all for the other so I can't say they pestered us at all.

Joystir59 · 29/12/2021 07:31

If I get a positive lft I won't get a PCR because I will have to walk my dog and don't want to break the law. Easy to walk away from people as I live in sparsely populated place and will walk v early. Wouldn't put anyone else at risk by involving them in walking my dog.