2 DDs coming home for Christmas from 2 different universities. Both have had coronavirus. Safe to stay with us without being tested?

[DanielleandBobby]

DH and I are both in our late 50s. We have his two DDs coming home for Christmas from two different universities and they've both had Covid. I also have a DC (17) who lives with us and who hasn't had the virus.

Do we know for sure if immunity lasts for the (alleged) six months, or should both girls be tested five days before their return, and then again on the day before they come home?

We have been cautious and seeing no-one really. My DC is at school so obviously is at slight risk.

There's no question of the girls not coming home for Christmas, but we're unsure as to whether we insist on them getting tested again - just to make sure.

Any ideas, anyone?

If they've definitely had it I wouldn't have any concerns about them coming back.

A lot of universities are offering tests to students before they travel home - can you find out if this is an option?

What’s the point in testing the older two when your youngest is at school anyway?

Are you particularly vulnerable?

If they were confirmed positive with a test, I wouldn’t worry about asking them to test again. I understand that there are a few documented cases of re-infection, but it’s very unusual.

Are their unis not testing them before they leave? I thought most were.

I wouldn’t be too worried in your circumstances, given your youngest is still going to school.

I think as they are not normally part of your household, a test is reasonable. But they are no more or less likely to bring it home than your ds, if he's at school.

@Ragwort - Thanks. I'm sure they can both get a test from their respective universities.

@Nicknacky - good point, and no, we're not particularly vulnerable, just cautious. I suppose because it's just been the three of us at home together since the beginning of September with no visitors, and then suddenly we have two separate 'households' coming from mixed student households and staying for a prolonged period. My question is really about their immunity.

Thanks everyone for your input.

PHE advice is not to test within 90 days of a positive test as could give a false positve result. Dd not testing for this reason.

@LIZS - Thank you. I didn't realise that.

I'm with @Nicknacky
Not sure why you think they are more likely to bring the virus home than your ds.
Indeed, statistically it's going to be your ds, as he is mixing with 100s every day, not your student dc whose mixing has been very limited.

@BackforGood - Actually, DS is in 6th form and only mixes with his subject groups, not 100s of other students. They use different entrances at school, are not allowed to congregate in the school playground and have to go home when they don't have lessons. One of my SDDs has been going into university most days as seminars are still running. They're probably all at equal risk.

If they both had positive tests then no don’t test - as PP said 90 day rule

When did they get covid? If it's this academic year that they are pretty safe from reinfection and it wouldnt be wise for them to test again and possibly get a false positive. If it was the first wave there have been very few reinfections but they should get a test.

If you are still concerned isolate them in your home for 3 days and if they can smell and taste things normally let them out. I'd do it for longer (5 -7 days) if you werent pretty sure they'd had it already.

I have 2 dds comeing home from different unis. As far as we know neither have had COVID (although dd1 had a very similar illness in Feb so who knows!)
Neither myself or dh are vulnerable. Both working full time (NHS and a teacher)
Niether dd having a test as there is no real need and would rather leave tests for those that need it.