DS is in Zante - testing?

[UntamedWisteria]

He's due back Saturday.

We are in England, so quarantine is not required - yet. Of course that may change.

But want to keep us all safe so will be getting him tested and making him self isolate until we know he's not infectious.

What's the protocol on when you should be tested - day of return and then 5 days later? Anyone got any sensible advice?

Are you supposed to test without symptoms? I thought it was isolate for 14 days, only get tested if they have symptoms

The incubation period ranges from 2-14 days, so testing at day 5 won’t really tell you much that’s useful

www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-how-to-self-isolate-when-you-travel-to-the-uk/coronavirus-covid-19-how-to-self-isolate-when-you-travel-to-the-uk

Incubarion period is up to 14 days so a test on day 5 could give a false negative

I know lots of people who have been tested for a variety of reasons without having symptoms.

We are not in a hotspot and there is loads of testing capacity near us.

I know the 14-day self-isolation is recommended, but I want to know the alternative recommendation for testing (which was under consideration recently by our own government)?

there isn't an alternative one given the long incubation period.

Just to be clear, obviously if DS is required to self isolate for 14 days because Greece gets taken off the list, he will.

But 14 days is a maximum, what's the median length for incubation?

My understanding was that most people show symptoms within 5 days if they are infected.

www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-08-21/shapps-warns-airport-covid-tests-can-t-replace-u-k-quarantine

I think it's 2 days and 8 days.

Had a similar quandary with my DS recently. No clear answer, but we did day 1 and day 8 testing along with some self isolation and then some social distancing until we got to day 12.

Thanks WorkingItOutAsIGo that is helpful and useful to know.

Do NOT order government tests for this. The numbers of tests needed for those with symptoms will increase substantially in the next few days as the beginning of term illnesses (which are very unlikely to be Covid and in many cases may well be caused by the change in routine rather than a virus or bacteria) begin to take effect. As has been seen in Scotland the capacity will get strained and it is essential that people don't take tests when they have no official reason to do so, as this allows those who actually need a test the best opportunity to get one.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-53992742

England is quick to go follow so he’ll
Probs have to self isolate for 2 weeks anyway by sat

@StatisticalSense

Do NOT order government tests for this. The numbers of tests needed for those with symptoms will increase substantially in the next few days as the beginning of term illnesses (which are very unlikely to be Covid and in many cases may well be caused by the change in routine rather than a virus or bacteria) begin to take effect. As has been seen in Scotland the capacity will get strained and it is essential that people don't take tests when they have no official reason to do so, as this allows those who actually need a test the best opportunity to get one.

Says who?

Just you, or is that official advice?

Would you prefer it if DS mixes freely around - he is due back at Uni shortly - if he is asymptomatic but infectious?

I think I read the incubation period increases with age. But if he is asymptomatic it won't make any difference anyway what the timescale is. Why not just advise him to be cautious and get him to keep his distance from you in the house for the first week he is back.

I also don't think you are supposed to order tests unless symptomatic or working in a routine test profession.

I think you are sensible getting him tested. I think it is day after return and 7 or 8 days recommended. Though it’s likely Zante or Greece in general will be put on the list this week so he will have to do 14 days isolation anyway.

How do people get tested if they have no symptoms? Do they just lie and say they have symptoms? I can see it would be very reassuring in many circumstances.

You can select no symptoms on the gov.uk website now, and have been able to for a few weeks. It absolutely is allowed or it wouldn't be an option.

“Getting him tested”

He’s an adult for gods sake it’s up to him how he responds

He neither has to be tested or isolate currently in England

Ah, Vinoona, you're one of 'those'.

As long as he's living under my roof rent free he will happily do as I ask.

He doesn't want to put his aging parents at risk, we've already discussed testing, he totally understands there may be a possible need for it. He's already been tested once a few weeks ago!

He neither has to be tested or isolate currently in England I'm well aware of that thank you, as I stated on the thread.

Tests are for those who have symptoms or have been asked to test:
www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing-and-tracing/get-a-test-to-check-if-you-have-coronavirus/

You could pay privately or ask your DS to pay for a private test.

He doesn't want to put his aging parents at risk

How would testing put you at less risk? Either he has it or he doesn't (the latter being massively more likely).

If the law says he doesn't need to quarantine, he doesn't need to quarantine. It might well change by the time he gets back but don't effectively punish him for going away if he doesn't need to! Quarantine is rubbish (and quite honestly if you are all in the same house you all should be doing it, but I bet you won't).

Should it help, me and my family have just had three Covid tests due to a relocation to south east Asia. We needed one not more than 48 hours before flights, second on day 4, third on day 12; spent 15 nights in quarantine.

People are really beginning to struggle to get tests.

There is absolutely no benefit of a test in this instance.

Just keep him home for 14 days - I agree with you on this one. Greek Islands should definitely be on UK quarantine list as a whole.

Has he been partying in a group in Zante?