Had Covid but no test - lateral flow tests at college

[Covidconundrums]

DH, DS and I all tested positive for Covid just before Christmas. DS2 fell ill a few days later and we didn't get him tested, because it was fairly clear it was Covid and because none of us were well enough to drive to a test centre (or indeed walk to the post box!)

He's now due to return to college and they are doing lateral flow tests, so as it's within 90 days he's likely to test positive and miss the first two weeks back.

We are doing asymptomatic testing in this area - if I take him for a test now, so that he can do his 10 days (again) before he goes back to college, will this mean that the rest of the family will also need to isolate, even though we know we've all had it?

I think it's a minority who shed virus for a long time. Several people at work (care home) have retested before 90 days and got a negative on PCR. I think since lateral flow are less sensitive he'd be even less likely to test positive.

I think the answer to your question is Yes, if you have contact with a positive person you still have to isolate even if you've had it. I think Test and Trace would contact you. I'm not totally sure but I think Test and Trace aren't involved when it's lateral flow so that may be a better option.

You will still have to isolate if a close contact tests positive - but I think it’s pretty rare to shed virus for 90 days without a reinfection. I have a close friend who had Coronavirus over New Years, and she’s been back at work and recording negative tests weekly since the end of January.

Oh crap, exactly the same scenario for DD. Myself and dp tested positive then D D went down with it at new year. She lost a weeks home schooling as she was really unwell. Shes in year 11 and has assessments in leiu of GCSE looming. Bollocks

The lateral flow tests in schools and colleges are optional as far as I know.

If he tested positive (now or at school) the whole household would have to isolate again. Not everyone continues to test positive for 90 days so it might not be a problem.

In exactly same boat with DD - her 90 days post covid are end March so I'll probably just give college the info about possibility of false positive during the 90 days and opt out into then. She's retaking GCSEs .