Do I have to re-do isolation?

[user1471539466]

Hi all

Scenario here that I need help with. Person A and person B live together.
If person A came out of isolation on Friday, and person B then tests positive today (without symptoms, routine test for work) - does person A have to re-start a 10 day isolation?

I can't seem to find anything online. Thanks!

Has person A actually had covid?

Yes, person A did have it.

To be honest you'd be best to contact your contact tracing service - so Test and Protect in Scotland, Test and Trace(? I think) in England etc - I'd say yes but it's reasonable for your case to be looked at by a practitioner and they'll be able to give you the most current information.

The NHS advice specifically says if anyone in the household tests positive within your isolation period you don’t extend yours.
I know person B hadn’t actually tested positive within your isolation period but just after but since they’re asymptomatic in your position I’d be assuming they caught if from you so you won’t need to isolate again. But I’m sure track and trace will confirm in the next couple of days

Yes, that's the problem - it was once person A's 10 day isolation had finished! Frustrating, need to know re work tomorrow. Cannot work from home.

This is from Gov.uk

@Zogstart - It was AFTER the 10 day isolation

If it’s after initial household isolation, and either of you have been in contact with other people isolation would begin again for person A following person B’s positive unfortunately.

It maybe that person B had it during person As isolation and was asymptotic but there is no way of knowing.

What ever you do do not take another covid test as you will test positive even though you are not infectious. This is why nhs staff are told not to take a lft for 90 days.

Test and trace read off of a card and direct you to their website. Have you tried 119? You may have more luck with them

We had similar. I started the chain of positives in our house - I asked test and trace on one of the (ridiculous number of...) calls they made to us and they said if there were any days where no one was isolating then we would have to all isolate again. So from what you have said then yes you would have to both isolate over again as the second positive came after your 10 days.

Yes I think so.
I tested positive then my isolation ended then all the kids came down with it within days of each other. BBC website said mine ended after the 10 days but track an trace said to start isolation again.

This chart shows within your 10 day self isolating period but not after, it is a real grey area, sorry not very helpful.

It wasn't THAT long ago, that the isolation period was 14 days (I think?) which would have put you on the last day of your isolation and therefore not needing to re-start. So under the old 'stricter' rules, you wouldn't have had to isolate, but under the new, more lenient, rules, it looks like you do.
I wonder what you're isolating for though? Surely the point of isolation is so that if you catch it, you don't spread it. But if you've just had it then you're not going to re-catch it the following week? (I know people can have it twice, but surely not 1 week after last having it?)

It will be interesting to see if you can get a clear answer from somewhere official, although I imagine they will default to the easiest option of telling you to isolate again...

Given that isolating is a legal requirement and you can be fined if you don’t, I think you should follow the government guidelines. If what is on the websites is not clear, speak to 119 about it.

I had this. I tested positive on a routine test at work 5 days after isolation ended after my other half had covid. He had to isolate again. It felt ridiculous.

Yes you do as even though you've had Covid you are now in contact with someone who has tested positive after your isolation period was over. If you go out you can still transmit the virus because you could carry it from the positive person to others.

Yes, think so. Isn’t Matt Hancock in his third isolation atm, after he had Covid last year? Keir Starmer too, I believe.