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Original poster

We need to self isolate don’t we? 😭

60 replies

MindatWork · 30/07/2020 10:20

Had a message this morning from a friend saying her DD has had a positive test this morning. We saw them outside in the park last Friday, mums socially distanced but kids prob had contact a handful of times. Mum has tested negative, we have no symptoms at all.

Looking at the guidelines any physical contact means we now have to self isolate (which we obv will despite it messing up a million different work arrangements) - but DH doesn’t, even though he is in our household, and neither does anyone else we’ve had contact with since last Friday? Is that right?

I’ve called my DS’ nursery and let them know he won’t be in next week and called everyone we’ve had contact with to let them know, but they don’t have to self isolate do they? It’s only if you’ve had contact with a confirmed case.

Obv the DD’s health is the most important thing and I hope she’s ok. It’s not the news I needed this morning Sad

OP posts:
withgraceinmyheart · 30/07/2020 10:23

I would say that the kid(s) who has physical contact and/or where less than 2m apart need to isolate.

I don't think you do if you were apart form the child whose tested positive. You would only need to if your child developed symptoms and/or tested positive. That's my understanding of the rules.

No one whose had contact with you needs to isolate unless you test positive.

jumper1234 · 30/07/2020 10:25

When did the child test positive/symptoms start? My understanding is that only those who had contact 48hrs before symptoms are required to isolate.

dementedpixie · 30/07/2020 10:28

Do you need to self isolate if you haven't been contacted by the track and trace people (or whatever they are called)? Arent they only infectious a couple of days before symptoms so chances are she wouldn't have been shedding the virus when they were near your child.

dementedpixie · 30/07/2020 10:30

Nhs says its people in the past 48 hours you've been in close contact with

dementedpixie · 30/07/2020 10:31

You may want to tell people you've been in close contact with in the past 48 hours that you might have coronavirus.

They do not need to self-isolate unless they're contacted by the NHS Test and Trace service. But they should take extra care to followsocial distancing advice, including washing their hands often.

If they get any coronavirus symptoms, they must self-isolate andget a coronavirus testas soon as possible.

Original poster
MindatWork · 30/07/2020 10:33

We saw them on Friday and she started symptoms on the Saturday so well within the 48 hour time limit. To be honest my DS is 21 months so if he has to self isolate so do I!

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 30/07/2020 10:41

Why did they only get a result this morning? It does say above you dont need to isolate unless contacted by the NHS team. At least you were outside which would makes it less likely to get passed on

Original poster
MindatWork · 30/07/2020 11:37

Even if we were to get tested (which we won’t as no symptoms) we’d still have to isolate for the full 14 days wouldn’t we?

OP posts:
Alex50 · 30/07/2020 12:06

This is so confusing, what happens in schools if one child catches it in a bubble of 260, does that mean every child in that bubble and their family need to isolate?

eeeyoresmiles · 30/07/2020 12:11

@MindatWork

Even if we were to get tested (which we won’t as no symptoms) we’d still have to isolate for the full 14 days wouldn’t we?
Yes, it seems quite a straightforward case tbh. Dc playing together without SD, one tests positive after showing symptoms soon afterwards.
HoneyBee03 · 30/07/2020 12:16

I read up on the rules yesterday and as far I understand it only the person who has been in close contact with the person who tested positive has to isolate. So in this case the only person who would have the isolate would be your child, however your DH can carry on as normal and you could also go out if DH is home with your child.

Only if your child starts developing symptoms would you and your DH also have to isolate (and then you'd get your child tested).

walksen · 30/07/2020 12:19

If it happens in school then nothing happens unless there is a case within 14 days in which case the local phe decides what to do. Not sure if track and trace would contact tracers the individuals.

On this basis isn't it premature to self isolate unless told to do so?

saraclara · 30/07/2020 12:21

@HoneyBee03

I read up on the rules yesterday and as far I understand it only the person who has been in close contact with the person who tested positive has to isolate. So in this case the only person who would have the isolate would be your child, however your DH can carry on as normal and you could also go out if DH is home with your child.

Only if your child starts developing symptoms would you and your DH also have to isolate (and then you'd get your child tested).

Yep. That's how it works. So it could be worse. Only your son needs to isolate.
Original poster
MindatWork · 30/07/2020 12:25

DH is insisting on erring on the side of caution despite me telling him there’s no need for him to isolate - he’s told his work he’s going to be working from home next week and has cancelled various socially distanced activities we had planned Sad.

OP posts:
ThatDamnScientist · 30/07/2020 12:27

@dementedpixie

Why did they only get a result this morning? It does say above you dont need to isolate unless contacted by the NHS team. At least you were outside which would makes it less likely to get passed on
The problem is track and trace isn't working properly (if it was, the OP would be in the group contacted 🤷🏼‍♀️). If you know you have been in close contact (as the kids have) with someone who has had a positive test then you isolate for the 14 days . If you yourself develop symptoms you now isolate for 10 days (link to new isolating guidelines)
OverTheRainbow88 · 30/07/2020 12:27

Or you all get tested then once negative can carry on?

Original poster
MindatWork · 30/07/2020 12:28

I’ve just been told by the mum that they have been contacted by track and trace so I’m assuming I’ll get a message from them soon

OP posts:
eeeyoresmiles · 30/07/2020 12:28

Only the exposed dc needs to isolate according to the rules, but when deciding who you yourself mix with over the next couple of weeks, you should bear in mind that your dc could have started to be asymptomatically or presymptomatically infectious by three days after they were exposed, and three days after that so could other people in your family if your dc has passed it on to some of you. So bear that in mind before meeting people without social distancing yourself over the next week or so.

Original poster
MindatWork · 30/07/2020 12:29

@OverTheRainbow88 if you’re tested because you’ve been exposed, you still have to self isolate for the full 14 days even if you get a negative result - I think it’s something to do with the incubation persons?

OP posts:
eeeyoresmiles · 30/07/2020 12:29

@OverTheRainbow88

Or you all get tested then once negative can carry on?
The dc who was exposed has to self-isolate for 14 days regardless of any negative tests as they could still be incubating it.
Original poster
MindatWork · 30/07/2020 12:30

@eeeyoresmiles weve pretty much decided to self isolate as a family until next fri which will be 2 weeks. DH can pop out for essentials if need be

OP posts:
Original poster
MindatWork · 30/07/2020 12:31

It’s been a bit of a wake up call to be honest. Infection rates have been incredibly low on this neck of the woods and a lot of our friends and family have pretty much given up on social distancing. Lots of shocked responses when I’ve been calling people this morning

OP posts:
OverTheRainbow88 · 30/07/2020 12:34

Oh didn’t realise that sorry!

My DS got sent home from nursery as he coughed ... then they said to do a test. Which was negative, then he was allowed back! I guess now you’ve said it it’s a totally different situation!

mamakoukla · 30/07/2020 12:34

I hope you will all be well OP, and your friend’s family. One aspect I am struggling with - and a lot of posters seem to have it clear so would really appreciate help - if there is a possible infected individual in a household, and transmission may happen at two days before symptoms, why is it only the original possible infected individual has to be in self isolation? Could other household members, not self isolating, catch it and spread it?

IncrediblySadToo · 30/07/2020 12:37

@MindatWork

DH is insisting on erring on the side of caution despite me telling him there’s no need for him to isolate - he’s told his work he’s going to be working from home next week and has cancelled various socially distanced activities we had planned Sad.
I like your DH.

Given the whole system is a misunderstood,clusterfuck your DH's approach is the only sensible one.

Relying on T&T and 'economy based' decisions around isolation will get us all in a huge mess again.

Personally I'd be treating our whole family as though we were contagious,staying home & getting deliveries.

I hope none of you get seriously ill from it & the DC with it recovers well 🌷

However, this clearly needs more public information briefings/broadcasts etc otherwise it's just going to totally fail