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Covid

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Original poster

If another employee has Covid....

24 replies

DOINGOURBIT · 29/12/2020 15:49

So, another employee has Covid, positve test. Other employees are off sick with flu related bugs, but not Covid symptoms and cannot get Covid test because they don't fit criteria.

Company demand test. They mention in passing that another close colleague has Covid, and name him.

What is the law here? They should have immediately got in contact with close colleagues and told them of a Covid case?

If you cannot get a test, do you take it on yourself to isolate at home? Is that good enough for an employer who still prattles on about a test.

Don't feel well, and all this is more stressful than enough when you know you only have the flu or a winter bug

OP posts:

covetingthepreciousthings · 29/12/2020 15:52

, and all this is more stressful than enough when you know you only have the flu or a winter bug

Or you could have Covid.. you can't say for certain it isn't, especially if you've been in contact with a confirmed case.
I'd be getting a test in your situation and isolating until I did so.

HotSince63 · 29/12/2020 15:54

Are you saying you have flu like symptoms, and have been in close contact with someone who has tested Covid positive?

TW2013 · 29/12/2020 15:54

Flu to me generally includes fever so having had contact with someone who tested positive I would be getting a test.

Original poster

DOINGOURBIT · 29/12/2020 16:02

Sorry to drip feed, but this is actually for my husband who hasn't been 100 per cent well, getting better but not fit enough for a manual lifting job today. He doesn't have any COVID symptoms at all, no fever, in fact the opposite, was cold.

Somebody or more than one person in a factory has COVID. Company only mention it in passing on the telephone. 111 refuse testing. Went through symptoms on the phone and not eligible.

Argument with company who insist. Can't you just self-isolate for two weeks and be done with all this hassle?

OP posts:

Moondust001 · 29/12/2020 16:03

Anyone who has flu symptoms - of actual flu - has one or more of the same symptoms as Covid. Including a fever, unless the infection is very mild. That is simply a fact. It is also a fact that some people call "flu" every time they have a winter sniffle. If you have flu or Covid symptoms, get a test. Flu is a serious infection even these days and even with vaccines. If you have it, you'll know about it! Go get a test if you have a fever.

Original poster

DOINGOURBIT · 29/12/2020 16:05

No fever. No cough. No decrease in taste or smell.... 99 per cent better since last Saturday, just not up to 9 hours heavy lifting manual job.

OP posts:

Moondust001 · 29/12/2020 16:05

Argument with company who insist.

They have no power to insist. Tell them to take it up with the powers that be.

Quite separate from that, if your OH isn't fit to work then that is what a fit note is for. Or self-certification if he hasn't been off a week yet.

covetingthepreciousthings · 29/12/2020 16:06

Somebody or more than one person in a factory has COVID. Company only mention it in passing on the telephone. 111 refuse testing. Went through symptoms on the phone and not eligible

You don't have to go via 111 for testing, just go thru the government portal and select you (DH) has symptoms and you can get a test. I'd do this to be sure & if his employer is asking for a test I don't see anything wrong with ticking to say you have symptoms when technically it might not be any of the main 3.

LIZS · 29/12/2020 16:13

Test and trace should be notifying close contacts of positive employee, not employer. It is possible that is only a handful, if the working environment is spacious(warehouse/factory) or open air. You can tick a box to get a test if instructed to do so, even if no symptoms.

LIZS · 29/12/2020 16:14

119 not 111 for Covid testing.

BG2015 · 29/12/2020 16:17

Just go for a test. You don't have to have anyone's permission. You don't even have to the 3 symptoms.

We have the option of 'my council requested I have a test' no one checks

I've had 5 Covid tests since March.

AutoIncorrect · 29/12/2020 16:23

We had lots of people test positive at my work place, we had sore throats and shivers and one person had a mild cough. Our local council is asking people to test and we asked to select the community testing option on the test application. 20 of us tested positive with either no symptoms or symptoms that are not currently considered to be covid indicators.

yuyubooboo · 29/12/2020 16:25

I had a positive swab with cold symptoms. No fever, sore throat or cough...literally just a cold.

catnoir1 · 29/12/2020 16:26

My friends dad presented with a headache and felt freezing. No temperature or any other symptom. He was tested and was positive.

Indecisive12 · 29/12/2020 16:26

What symptoms did he have?

Catsneezies · 29/12/2020 16:29

Why can't PHE and NHS get their act in gear and update the three symptoms when such a high proportion of people test positive without the three so-called "main" symptoms? Could be another reason why rates are so high. People being denied tests so assume they can't have covid when they do and are silently spreading it!

Original poster

DOINGOURBIT · 29/12/2020 16:42

Hmm, this is all very interesting to hear. I'd say he had very, very very mild cold symptoms, but no temperature, no loss of appetite. He works outside in a cold yard. He hasn't been bed ridden at all, just slightly under the weather.

Anyway, when company ring tomorrow, I'm going to suggest if they knew others had Covid, it might have been a good idea to inform the rest of the staff. This only came out in passing over the telephone. Those who had been in closer contact with this employee are still unaware.

OP posts:

treeslets · 29/12/2020 16:45

I think it's crazy that they only ask people to test if they have those three symptoms! Surely the list needs updating?

I know of four people who currently have covid- all are contacts with each other. One has no symptoms at all, two have aches and pains and fatigue, the third has a snotty nose and generally just a little under the weather. Not one of them has any of those three symptoms that should trigger a test!

Orf1abc · 29/12/2020 16:49

You shouldn't be suggesting anything to his employer, he's an adult! He can book a covid test online.

How long has he been off for, and when is he planning to be back at work?

Original poster

DOINGOURBIT · 29/12/2020 17:16

Orf1abc - He is autistic, not good at talking his way out of problems.

Yes, may have to book a test online - if that means lying about the symptoms.

Only off sick today. First day in 20 years in same company. Was aiming at going back next week - bear in mind he only does Tues and Wednesday

OP posts:

Indecisive12 · 29/12/2020 17:57

Just book an online test and say he has one of the main symptoms. Go to a test site rather than wait for a home test. My cough started 8 days after my cold symptoms and 3 days after my taste went.

Runnerduck34 · 29/12/2020 22:30

DD has recently tested positive for covid, at the time i thought she just had a cold-blocked nose, feeling run down and headachy . It came back positive, her bf also got a test ( he had no symptoms)and it also came back positive. Unfortunately to get a test they both lied and said they had a cough and fever, if they didn't they wouldnt have been able to book a test.
About 5/6 days after feeling unwell and having a test DD lost her sense of taste, her BF never felt unwell.
Anyway what I'm trying to say is is that it is possible to have covid without the main 3 symptoms so if you feel ill it might be worth having a test , particularly if you have had contact with someone who is positive. But sadly you will have to lie to get one. Sounds unethical but if DD and her BF hadnt lied she would have been walking round for 5 days thinking she just had a cold before losing her sense if taste and her bf would have no inkling he had it at all.

Runnerduck34 · 29/12/2020 22:43

Should add i dont think his employer can demand he has a test( unless he works in healthcare)
Should he be isolating for 10 days anyway? if not phone in sick - if he hasn't been off sick for more than a week he wont need a doctor's note but if he has just go and see GP

Original poster

DOINGOURBIT · 29/12/2020 23:28

Thank you all. Didn't dream I'd have to lie to get a test. Sad state of affairs in a pandemic stricken world, isn't it?

You've enlightened me. I shall now work on trying to get a test as it may be Covid. News on TV isn't good, so best to know for sure.

OP posts:

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