isolation question

[midlifespices]

DS has a cold. This turned into a cough on Saturday and so on Sunday he was tested. It's now Wednesday and I have not gone to work, and both DC are off school while we wait for the test results.

However, I've just re-read the isolation guidelines here:

www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-and-treatment/when-to-self-isolate-and-what-to-do/

We were isolating because someone in our household had symptons. However, as of Sunday afternoon, no one has any symptoms (main 3 or others) as DS cough has gone, and no one has tested positive.

So if the symptoms have gone, do we still need to self isolate? The official advise suggests we don't.

Yes you need to wait for the results of the test as your DS may be positive even though symptoms have stopped.

Your DS needs to isolate for 10 days or until he gets a negative result

His household contacts need to isolate for 14 days from his onset of symptoms. That the symptoms have ended is immaterial - you could be incubating it from when he was symptomatic. Unless he gets a negative result, in which case everyone is immediately released as it was not Covid.

I hope you are not kept waiting for too much longer. It really needs improvement so tests really are turned round in 24 hours, not 3+ days

This is what I thought. I'm surprised that 'waiting for a test result' is not listed as a reason to self-isolate though. With results taking as long as they are, desperate people (like me!) may be looking for every loophole..