Work testing after you’ve had Covid - still testing positive

[Justlovingthis]

Hello, I hope someone out there knows the answer to this.
My 20 year old works in face to face care role (with full PPE).
They tested positive for Covid about 3 weeks ago after symptoms. We’ve fully finished the self isolation and were just starting to get back to normal (whatever normal is now). I didn’t catch it.
At work they’ve now introduced weekly testing and after returning to work (just) they tested positive still.
We’re now totally confused with what happens with regards to self isolation again?
I feel like we’ve done our time but clearly don’t want to risk others.
Their work have insisted they stay off (sadly unpaid) until they test negative.

Anyone? What would you do?

That’s awful, just shows how much we don’t understand about Covid yet. Seems particularly unfair it should be unpaid.

Will he have to wait a week to be tested again?

It's happened in Italy to 2 separate groups of young people
www.google.com/amp/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/newsbeat-54465313

www.spectator.co.uk/article/why-did-the-florence-three-keep-testing-positive-for-covid-/amp?__twitter_impression=true

My DD10 was slightly unwell 17/18 oct, she's just tested positive nearly two weeks after her very mild cough

It’ll be unpaid as it’s currently a 0 hours contract (probably another thread on its own) but I’m looking at options regards to this and it was due to be reviewed at the end of the year. They usually work ft hours.
Our biggest question is whether we still have to self isolate.
Had they not had the test at work then we’d be none the wiser and think they were now ok. They have been tested though, and it’s still positive.
Yes, they’ll be a retest next and every week for now.

Yes you still need to self-isolate I'm afraid

If they still have covid they should be getting sick pay.

I think you should call 119 and ask. There was a recent news report of 3 lads who were in Italy who could only leave once they got negative tests, which took a couple of weeks for one and another week for another.

Interesting links, thank you. It looks like it could well be ‘dead fragments’ of the virus now and could show up for weeks.
Does that mean we’re stuck in for weeks? Thankfully we’re not stuck in a quarantine centre like those in Italy but even so.

Embarrassingly I didn’t even know 119 existed! Just had a quick google.
Good idea, I’ll give them a call. Thanks.

Nhs says don't test within 90 days if you don't have symptoms

Sorry its not nhs but the government website that says it

www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection

Yes - I work in a care setting though not in direct contact with clients, if a staff member tests positive they have to isolate for 2 weeks but as long as they don't show symptoms they can then return to work and will not be tested again for 90 days. This is because traces of the virus remain in their system for several weeks and they are likely to be positive even though there is no danger to either them or anyone else.