Negative PCR after positive lateral flow

[IDoAllMyOwnStunts]

So myself and DH went to community testing site in our town on Sunday. No symptoms at all.

(I wanted to meet my dad for a walk and wanted to check I was clear.).

We both had the lateral flow test. I get a text half an hour later - negative. DH gets a text to say he's positive.

Test and trace rang - told us we both had to isolate for 10 days. Fair do's.

The following day DH had a PCR test which has come back negative. Still both have no symptoms.

Not much online about what we do now. Whether to still isolate. I'm thinking yes?

I thought a PCR trumps a lateral test! It’s does in hospitals any way

NHS website is just really confusing and doesn't specifically say.

Could he do another PCR test?

If it was done at a community testing site, no confirmatory PCR is required, a positive is a positive, that’s it

Once T&T have told you to self-isolate there is no mechanism to change that.

So it largely depends on whether you think you may get caught or not....

They say a false positive on lateral flow is rare

It's not THAT rare - 99.9% may sound good, but that's still 1 false +ve in 1000.

I imagine you could have caught the tail end of it on the lateral flow, especially if asymptomatic. Possibly by the time you did the pcr there wasn’t enough virus left to be detected.

Unless they mixed his test up with someone else’s

Well it's causing a tiff! I'm saying still isolate, he says it's pointless as he's had an email with PCR results saying he's negative and the usual 'no longer need to isolate' spiel with it.
But my argument is that the people who sent the PCR email won't know he tested positive that day before on lateral flow.

I can't find anything online of what to do in this situation. I was hoping to find a link to show him I'm right 😁

Book another PCR and let that decide.

Happen to my colleague positive lateral flow PCR was negative. She was told PCR trumped the lateral flow test as it more sensitive.

My understanding is that the PCR test trumps the LFT (unless the LTF was done in school). I’m sure I read this somewhere but can’t remember where.
If I can find it, I’ll post it on here.

www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-content/uploads/sites/52/2020/12/NHS-Test-and-Trace_HEE_PC-staff-testing-LFD.pdf

Only found this, which is guidelines from NHS England for staff using the LFT - it states that after a positive LFT the whole household need to isolate until the result comes back from the PCR comes back. If that result is negative, the isolation stops.

@Walksallday

www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-content/uploads/sites/52/2020/12/NHS-Test-and-Trace_HEE_PC-staff-testing-LFD.pdf

Only found this, which is guidelines from NHS England for staff using the LFT - it states that after a positive LFT the whole household need to isolate until the result comes back from the PCR comes back. If that result is negative, the isolation stops.

That’s a home test, the rules are different for tests done at community testing sites , no confirmatory PCR is needed if done at a testing site , a positive test is a positive, that’s it

That's what I thought Mightyducks.... but I can't find the info anywhere.

@IDoAllMyOwnStunts

That's what I thought Mightyducks.... but I can't find the info anywhere.

I know, I got the information through work, I advise schools and settings on testing and COVID cases, the NHS stay at home guidance now just refers to a ‘positive test’ , to try and make it all simple , but people in your situation want more details!

Can you ring 119 and ask?

Ok, thanks for the info @mightyducks - I hadn’t realised the difference between the home testing and the tests done in centres.

@IDoAllMyOwnStunts

Well it's causing a tiff! I'm saying still isolate, he says it's pointless as he's had an email with PCR results saying he's negative and the usual 'no longer need to isolate' spiel with it. But my argument is that the people who sent the PCR email won't know he tested positive that day before on lateral flow.

I can't find anything online of what to do in this situation. I was hoping to find a link to show him I'm right 😁

Here www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection

As I said, if the LF doesn't involve T&T then the PCR overrules it, but once T&T have got involved you have to do what they say no matter what - unfortunately.

Thanks for the link- he's conceded he will do the 10 days although I think it's begrudgingly (I've ground him down ) rather than convinced that's the 'law'.

Thank you all.

Ring 119 and get the definitive answer. LF do sometimes show false positives.

my daughter had to go in to self isolation because of close contact with someone who tested positve at school. That child then had a negative pcr, but track and trace said everybody had to stay in self isolation. Fair enough, it is what it is. Lessons done on zoom, just 10 days in the house.

Then my daughter got a cough while in self isolationand tested positive on a pcr.

Have they had covid in the last 90 days? Lft will still show positive if they have

We don't think he's had Covid in last 90 days.