To leave isolation when I'm getting a blazing positive LFT (on Day 10)

[TeddySteady]

I really don't understand why I'm still testing positive with such a strong line. I was only mildly ill and my symptoms cleared up days ago. I know the official advice is that you're free to go at the end of the 10-day period. And that if you get 2 negatives 24 hours apart on days 6 and 7 then you're also free to go on your way. But Whitty muddied the waters the other day when he suggested a LFT is a good indicator of infectiousness and you should keep isolating till you get a negative. And I've read that PCRs can pick up dead virus for up to 90 days but that a LFT detects infectious virus. Does anyone know what's what? So confused and I really don't want to mingle with people if there's a chance I'm still infectious....

You can stop testing now and leave isolation.

The testing is to end isolation early you don't have to test to leave at 10 days

If there's any chance you're still infectious (as supposedly evidenced by a positive Lft) then why on earth would you Not still isolate?

@shoofly

If there's any chance you're still infectious (as supposedly evidenced by a positive Lft) then why on earth would you Not still isolate?

That’s my question. Is there a chance I’m still infectious or is the reason we’re told to stop isolating after 10 days is that there’s no chance.

@shoofly

If there's any chance you're still infectious (as supposedly evidenced by a positive Lft) then why on earth would you Not still isolate?

For many people, self isolation means being on SSP (£96pw) or no pay at all (eg if you're self employed).

During that time, the rent still needs to be paid, food costs more (no yellow sticker reductions, added delivery fees, minimum orders that are too high if you live alone), heating costs more because you're in all day and so on.

Surely you can see how those people would need to return to work sharpish?

Can you work from home or are you under pressure to start mixing again from work or any other reason? I'd err on the side of caution for another couple of days if it was possible, or if you really have to go out then distance and masks etc

@TeddySteady according to Chris Witty at Tuesday's press conference then a positive lateral flow test indicates you're still infectious.

[quote Mykittensaremyfriends]@TeddySteady according to Chris Witty at Tuesday's press conference then a positive lateral flow test indicates you're still infectious.[/quote]
So why isn’t the official advice to leave isolation when you test negative (beyond 10 days)? It’s really not clear at all.

When I had covid, a year ago, I was told not to test for 90 days and the result would likely be positive. Yes you can go out now if you are well.

There is no requirement for a clear test after the 10 days are complete and if you don’t have a temperature

I'm in the same postion, going back to work on Monday but told to test daily. (nhs)

Am coming up on 10 days so am wondering this too. The fact the you just need a lft now instead of a pcr doesn’t this mean it should be negative before you leave isolation. Am lost

Yes what Chris Whitty said was confusing but to be fair, I don’t think he finished his sentence.

Positive test does not necessarily = infectious. After 10 days you will not be infectious anymore even if you’re still testing positive. BUT if you get 2 negatives from day 6 onwards, you are highly unlikely to not be infectious so can stop isolating. Equally, if you get 2 positives from day 6 onwards you MIGHT not be infectious anymore but there’s no clear way of telling so that’s why you wait till the full 10 days if your LFTs are still positive before then, as by day 10 you’re definitely safe.

NHS advice to staff (caveat: I don’t work in the NHS*) is:

• not to test again even if positive on day 6
• to return to work after day 10 if symptom-free (except for cough that can persist)
• & no need to repeat the lateral flow on day 10

*was head scratching with a friend trying to figure this out whilst she waited for confirmation from her manager.

One of my friends (healthcare worker) took over a month to test negative on LFTs after she had covid. She definitely couldn't have isolated for that time!

I think my understanding is that you're only infectious at the start of the infection (like with many other bugs). Leaving isolation early based on a negative LFT is just if you happen to be among the lucky ones whose infection levels drop off really quickly so there's no point waiting until day 10. And that for most people, even if you're still showing positive on an LFT after day 10, you're far enough past the point where you're infectious that it's OK to head out.

@Clueless2000 said what I was trying to but much better!

Bugger sorry- that should say “but if you get two negatives from day 6 onwards you are highly unlikely to STILL be infectious”

@TrophyWinner

When I had covid, a year ago, I was told not to test for 90 days and the result would likely be positive. Yes you can go out now if you are well.

This is only the case for PCR not LFT.

You are almost certainly still infectious. The reason why it isn't the official government advice is because it's more confusing and difficult for people and businesses to work around when the vast majority of people will no longer be infectious after the 10 day isolation.

Oh I also meant to say you are still infectious but at nowhere near the same level, unless you are really getting up in someone's grill you won't pass it on.

@noworklifebalance

NHS advice to staff (caveat: I don’t work in the NHS*) is:

• not to test again even if positive on day 6
• to return to work after day 10 if symptom-free (except for cough that can persist)
• & no need to repeat the lateral flow on day 10

*was head scratching with a friend trying to figure this out whilst she waited for confirmation from her manager.

This isn't the advice in my trust or on the government website (for health and social care staff).

It clearly states you can return to work if you have two consecutive negative LFT's 24 hours apart starting from day six. You cannot return to work after ten days unless you have a single negative lft result.

Also it's after ten days of isolation, not day 10 of isolation and day 1 is the day after symptoms/positive test (whichever is first) no wonder we're all so confused.

This is only the case for PCR not LFT.

No it wasn't. I was involved in the set up of school testing, always LFT, and instructed not to test myself as I'd been ill less than 90 days previously

You only have to continue to isolate after 10 days if you have a temperature.
Otherwise you are free from day 11 regardless.

Clueless2000 Fri 07-Jan-22 15:59:17
Yes what Chris Whitty said was confusing but to be fair, I don’t think he finished his sentence.
Positive test does not necessarily = infectious. After 10 days you will not be infectious anymore even if you’re still testing positive.

If it was as simple as this, so many doctors and nurses would not have caught it from COVID patients in hospital, as it usually takes more than 10 days from infection to hospitalisation.

Or did they catch it from asymptomatic cases, which means they should use PPE in the NON-Covid wards, and not bother in the COVID positive areas.

@shoofly

If there's any chance you're still infectious (as supposedly evidenced by a positive Lft) then why on earth would you Not still isolate?

Because lots of people don’t have the privilege to work from home maybe .