No available tests

[scotsllb]

My mum is displaying symptoms of coronavirus for the past couple of days.
She picks my son up every day from his childminder and looks after him in her house a couple of hours a day until I pick him up.
She was round mine yesterday for his birthday when she said she had been feeling feverish and I mentioned that is a symptom and she went home.
This morning she has woken up feeling rotten, more feverish etc breathless inhalers not effective etc.
She has called to book a test and no answer to NHS 24 for over 45 mins on hold.
She tried online and the response was to try again in a few hours when more tests available. She doesn't drive.
She has tried all night and the response is the same on the phone and website.
I work in a salon and I'm face to face shampooing hair etc and wear a mask but we cannot social distance due to the nature of the job.
Am I correct in thinking I don't need to isolate from work etc as although she is displaying symptoms and I have been in contact, without a positive result this is unnecessary?
I find it all very confusing. The time it take a test to be sent out and all that she will no doubt be past the 5 day window anyway

Ok thankyou. I think that's her plan.
A lot of the clients are elderly and I worry incase I'm carrying anything and passing it on. It seems a wait for results and damage may be done.
I only have a mild cold just now so not displaying any symptoms so that is positive and of course it's all unlikely to be covid anyway.

From NHS website:

When to self-isolate

You must self-isolate immediately if:

you have any symptoms of coronavirus (a high temperature, a new, continuous cough or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste)
you've tested positive for coronavirus – this means you have coronavirus
you live with someone who has symptoms or tested positive
someone in your support bubble has symptoms or tested positive
you're told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace
you arrive in the UK from a country with a high coronavirus risk – see GOV.UK: how to self-isolate when you travel to the UK

Sorry, you need to self isolate. Hope your mum feels better soon.

I don't live with her though. She also hasn't tested positive or would you consider her my support bubble?

I would say yes because she’s looking after your son she’s effectively in a support bubble with you ( even though support bubbles were intended to be formed with people who live alone, not sure what your circumstances are but I guess that’s not so relevant)

When she’s been looking after your son has she been doing this in a socially distanced way?
When she was at your house were you all sticking to the distancing guidelines?

Yes I'm in Scotland, a single parent. One child in childcare the other in high school

So she would be considered an extended household ? So yes we all need to isolate until her negative test is through ?

Ok thanks I hope my boss is understanding.
I know sick days etc are frowned upon but it is what it is and I cannot afford to lose the money.
I will isolate us all until her test comes through

Yes. Sorry but how on earth did she not already realise that fever is a symptom of covid before you told her? Why did she come to your house while feverish? Im not trying to be mean, just genuinely don't understand.

If your boss is a decent, reasonable business owner they won’t have an issue with it.
The alternative potentially puts many of their customers at risk so hopefully they’ll be understanding.

If you’re not sure about suck pay there’s some info on here about financial support available

www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-what-to-do-if-youre-employed-and-cannot-work#if-someone-you-live-with-has-symptoms-of-coronavirus

Suck pay??? Goodness me that sounds a bit dodgy!! Sick pay that should be.

@KingaRoo I agree. I think she just assumed she caught a chill or bug and didn't think.
I couldn't believe when she was sitting sweating away! She went home immediately and was apologetic etc and feels terrible for not clicking sooner.
Well I hope so as the whole thing makes me feel awful. I don't want to let them down but at the same time the risk is real.

Tests have run out I have a throat infection but doctor would not see me without a Covid test but I can't have one as none left been trying since last night

I would keep trying the website.

www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing-and-tracing/get-a-test-to-check-if-you-have-coronavirus/

@scotsllb

I don't live with her though. She also hasn't tested positive or would you consider her my support bubble?

She's in your support bubble though isn't she because she's looking after your son, so you should all be isolating too