Self isolating after positive test

[breakingthebank]

A member of my household has tested positive for Covid. The text he's received states he must self isolate for 10 days from the day he developed symptoms. He has had a cold since last weekend but only lost sense of taste/smell on Wednesday. Do you think the 10 days started from the day he got a cold or the day he lost sense of taste/smell?

the day he developed one of the main symptoms so wednesday.

I'd say the opposite, but it's difficult to know. There was a thread on this subject a couple of days ago, sorry can't remember what it was called, will link to it if I find it.

Thanks, I have searched for an answer but can't seem to find one within any official guidance. My family disagree about the start date and, as dh is self employed, he doesn't want to lose money for any longer than necessary!

It’s the Covid symptom that’s relevant. So Weds.

Which symptom gave him the reason to test? That one.

But the others could be Covid symptoms, just not the UK "official" ones. Several people on the thread I read recently started with "unofficial" symptoms then tested when they developed an "official" one and were positive.

Test and trace should let him know.

I would say the cold.

Is the text from Track and Trace? If it is, he needs to follow their instructions.

@Augustbreeze

But the others could be Covid symptoms, just not the UK "official" ones. Several people on the thread I read recently started with "unofficial" symptoms then tested when they developed an "official" one and were positive.

Only 3 are gateways to testing in the U.K.

So those symptoms are the ones that count for self isolation purposes.

Simples. Stop making up your own rules.

Ring 119 and ask them to define "symptoms"?

It’s on the NHS website.

99% of the people testing positive could have a runny nose or a yellow tongue. Unless it’s officially added to the list of symptoms it does not count as a symptom.

I asked test and protect this when they called me. You isolate for 10 days from the date you developed one of the 3 main symptoms or the day you were tested. I had other symptoms prior to a temperture which is why I was tested.

@SparklyOwl

Is the text from Track and Trace? If it is, he needs to follow their instructions.

The text he's received just tells him he's Covid positive and must isolate for 10 days from point of developing symptoms - nothing more specific than that.

I agree that it's 10 days from the symptom that made him think "this might be Covid" and organise the test.

Test and trace should call soon, hopefully they will clarify

They took it from I first felt unwell not when I first lost my sense of smell/ taste

@AnneShirleysNewDress

I asked test and protect this when they called me. You isolate for 10 days from the date you developed one of the 3 main symptoms or the day you were tested. I had other symptoms prior to a temperture which is why I was tested.

Thank you, that's helpful. Hopefully he'll get a call from T&T, he hasn't yet. He really needs confirmation from someone official re isolation dates. @NotThiisAgaiin I will have another look for the info on the NHS website. I need something official to show him.

If he puts his test number into the track and trace ap it gives the actual date you need to isolate until.