Not allowed another test

[Jenasaurus]

There has been an outbreak of COVID in my DDs nursery where she works. 5 out of 7 of the staff have tested positive, one worker who has been vaccinated doesnt have it and my DD had to have 2 tests as the first was inconclusive and the 2nd negative. My DD still has to isolate until Monday. Today she has developed an ongoing cough, has a high temperature and has a sore throat, but due to having had 2 tests already last week she has receved an automated response saying she cant have another one. Does she therefore assume she cant have caught it 7 days after the last contact with her infected team (she has been at home since as its half term) and therefore can come out of isolation on Monday. She is a bit confused about whether it cant be COVID as she tested negative on Wednesday.

3 tests in around a week is a bit OTT.

Can’t she just self isolate a bit longer instead? Start the isolation period again from the onset of symptoms? I thought employers were supposed to pay for private tests in these circumstances rather than use the free NHS tests.

Yes it could be covid - this is the danger with asymptomatic testing too soon after potential exposure.

Did you claim she had symptoms to get her tested last week or was it mass testing? This is exactly why there was no point testing her last week.

@MadeOfStarStuff

Did you claim she had symptoms to get her tested last week or was it mass testing? This is exactly why there was no point testing her last week.

She did lose her sense of smell/taste and as her colleagues who were all in training together on the same day in a small room were positive she also tested, she was advised to get the second test as the first didnt have a clear result.

I had a high temperature and sore throat on the Monday so did a test- negative. Gp diagnosed tonsillitis. Partner went back to work, luckily children stayed at home. Symptoms continued and I developed a mild cough on day 4. Tested again on the Friday and was positive. DP had cold symptoms all week but didn’t test initially as I’d tested negative. He then also tested positive on the saturday. Every single member of our household then came down with it one after another over a 2 week period.

@ViceVersa

I had a high temperature and sore throat on the Monday so did a test- negative. Gp diagnosed tonsillitis. Partner went back to work, luckily children stayed at home. Symptoms continued and I developed a mild cough on day 4. Tested again on the Friday and was positive. DP had cold symptoms all week but didn’t test initially as I’d tested negative. He then also tested positive on the saturday. Every single member of our household then came down with it one after another over a 2 week period.

Thats interesting, thank you for sharing your experience. My DD has been advised that nursery is closed next week so she will just keep on isolating for a further week. I have been vaccinated so probably wont get it, and her BF who lives with us is young and fit so hopefully wont be badly affected if he does get it. I guess there is no advantage to getting tested if you are keeping home, its just she was looking forward to going for a walk and getting some fresh air on Monday.

I would get your daughter to call 119 and speak to someone and explain the situation.

If she has developed symptoms she should follow the protocol. If she can’t test then she should isolate for as long as necessary.

You only test if there are symptoms so you must have tested twice before this happened.

I would still try and isolate yourself from daughter, DP has had 1 vaccination a month ago and been in bed for last week with covid, so you may still get it, just likely to not need hospital.

The problem is you and her BF dont have to isolate if she doesnt have a positive test, but could potentially be close contacts. If she tested positive you would have to. My work would not support me isolating without a family member testing positive, rather than simply being a contact. Track and trace wont kick in either.

The incubation period is longer than 7 days so yes she needs a test now really. If she can’t test then I’d assume her 10 days starts from the onset of her symptoms.

There are places where adults can go for tests with no symptoms - can she go there? If she has symptoms then obviously not.

I agree with @Mindymomo, ring 119 and explain the situation, they should be able to bypass the system and get her a test.

The problem with only isolating for a further week if the nursery has closed is that’s not long enough for a diagnosed infection if her coughing symptoms only started in the last day. I think she may have had a false negative if she experienced a loss of taste/smell.