14 day quarantine and testing

[Ipadipod]

A friend told me that their friend has to quarantine for 14 days due to being in contact with someone that has tested positive for covid but if they have a test and it’s negative they can return to work.
Is it possible that they could have the test on day one of quarantine, test negative but then go on to develop it ?

Surely yes. I had this very thought yesterday. I have nothing to back this up - just logic.

Wouldn't think so there is the incubation period to take into consideration on day one they might test negative then go on to develop the virus.

The Nhs website says that even with a negative test they still need to isolate the full 14 days from exposure as they can become symptomatic after testing.

They shouldn’t return to work.

They have been quarantined to prevent the spread of the virus. It won’t show up on the test unless they are shedding the virus.

She’s talking rubbish.

SummerHouse same here , I’m concerned that this is a wide held view and people could be doing it incorrectly.

You should not be released from quarantine on the basis of a negative test.

I have realised from posts here and elsewhere that there is considerable ignorance on this point!

If you have been in close contact with a confirmed case you are required to do the full quarantine in proper isolation (you do not leave your home except for vital F2F medical appointments, and only then if HCP has confirmed you still should do).

The friend - or someone at her workplace - has badly misunderstood the whole point of quarantine.

BluebellsGreenbells this is what her friend’s workplace has said.

I’m so tired of all the misunderstanding surrounding this , when to wear/ not wear masks , when to quarantine, who you can/can’t mix with. The rules aren’t difficult, why don’t people get it ?

@Ipadipod with respect, the rules are confusing. I have family in Wales and myself in England, the rules are different in both countries. Rules are changing all the time so I don't blame people for getting mixed up.

Also I've read on other threads that if we have a symptom that we are to test but even if the test is negative that we are to still self isolate? But I've found this on the gov website.

If you have any of the main symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), get a test as soon as possible. Stay at home until you get the result.

Wales is also 14 days quarantine for confirmed close contacts.

I'm not sure what the confusion is on this one?

Two very different things :

Also I've read on other threads that if we have a symptom that we are to test but even if the test is negative that we are to still self isolate? But I've found this on the gov website

If you have any of the main symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), get a test as soon as possible. Stay at home until you get the result

This is the correct advice if you are symptomatic yourself

Thus thread is about those who are not symptomatic and are close contacts of confirmed cases and they are required to isolate for 14 days, irrespective of whether they are tested during that time.

The information leaflet given to you when you go for a test states that if you have been told to self isolate because of being exposed through a contact, you should continue to self isolate for 14 days even if you test negative.

It sounds like her workplace are giving incorrect advice. My husband’s workplace have said the same. I pointed out to them that their policy was incorrect but they never replied and don’t appear to have changed the policy. I have heard of other workplaces saying the same. It really worries me

Unfortunately, it might take an avoidable outbreak at a workplace which gives wrong advice about quarantine before people take it seriously.

I do shudder at how cheaply some companies hold their employees wellbeing, and in this case, lives.

DH workplace had the quarantine rules in place before lockdown so they worked from home.

It’s sensible to protect the work place as it could end up shutting down the whole place plus cleaning costs.

@SexTrainGlue the op mentioned this...
I’m so tired of all the misunderstanding surrounding this , when to wear/ not wear masks , when to quarantine, who you can/can’t mix with. The rules aren’t difficult, why don’t people get it? so I was responding to that and saying that it is confusing because the rules are different in each country. I wasn't specifically talking about the isolating. I was jusy responding to the op.

And yes, I also know that this thread is talking about when you've been in contact with a confirmed case. I was simply adding that it is another misconception about testing etc... for what it's worth, I agree about the 14 day isolation.

@SexTrainGlue for example, the rules about meeting people indoors in Wales and England are different. Mask rules are different. Soft plays can open in Wales and they can't in England. Etc.. etc... lots of differing rules!

SWYM!!

I would have thought it should be possible to take a test on day 7 of your quarantine and if that is negative you can end quarantine. As any symptoms or antibodies should be present by then.
I know this is not what the rules say, just a suggestion of what should work in theory

Yetiyoga I get what you’re saying and maybe I’m wrong to be exasperated with people, it’s just having so many conversations where one person has interpreted a rule one way and someone else disagrees and has read it differently, I get that it’s all open to interpretation , I’m just fed up with it all being a muddle.

I'm a contact tracer, a negative test makes no difference, it is still 14 days.

But I guess if you had symptoms (but no known contact) and a negative test that would then negate the need for 10 day quarantine?

Hi OP, I was in this situation last week as we had contact with a child who tested positive so we had to self isolate for 14 days from the date of contact.

The guidance you’re sent by test and trace clearly says you have to do the full 14 days EVEN IF YOU HAVE A NEGATIVE TEST because of the incubation period. However every single person I spoke to about it (friends/family etc) all said ‘oh can’t you just get a test and then go back to normal if it’s negative?’

People are definitely getting confused between the rules if you have symptoms yourself, and the rules if you’ve been in contact with a confirmed case.

It was a total ball ache having to cancel plans and pull DD out of nursery but we did it because it’s the right thing to do. Sadly I think a lot of people won’t bother. The guidance is very clear when you get the test and trace messages.

I also wonder if people won’t isolate due to either not being paid or getting ssp.