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Original poster

How soon after "isolation" would you see someone who had tested positive?

26 replies

Ohdoleavemealone · 31/03/2021 20:53

Just wondering as we have been invited to a friends this weekend. Her isolation ended today but she is suffering some breathlessness when going up stairs.
Would you go or request to postpone?

OP posts:
RMRM · 31/03/2021 21:00

I'd postpone having read some stories of people being infected after the 'safe' period was supposed to have passed.

I know anecdotes don't make data, or whatever the saying is, but I would leave it a bit.

Original poster
Ohdoleavemealone · 31/03/2021 21:02

Thank you. That's my gut too.
I just don't want to hurt anyone's feelings but at the same time we need to stay safe.

OP posts:
NuttyinNotts · 31/03/2021 21:03

I'd postpone, the isolation period was reduced to 10 days not because nobody gets infected after 10 days, but because so few do that they thought reducing it was worth it to increase compliance. I'm very risk adverse though because of household circumstances.

Original poster
Ohdoleavemealone · 31/03/2021 21:06

Yeah I thought the same about isolation and DH suffers with severe anxiety and is saying he won't go this weekend.
I'm with him totally but didn't want to offend our friends if we are being over cautious.

OP posts:
XenoBitch · 31/03/2021 21:21

How long will you be willing to wait? Some people hit hard by Covid are breathless for weeks after.

Woodlandbelle · 31/03/2021 21:23

I would wait a minimum of 14 days (that's what I feel rather than scientific evidence)

PipsM · 31/03/2021 21:24

I’m still breathless after 4 months (it’s finally easing though!). I’d say 14 days personally and outside, socially distanced of course.

Original poster
Ohdoleavemealone · 31/03/2021 21:26

Just another week to be sure she isn't still contagious. Seeing someone 3 days after isolation ends is different to 10 days.

OP posts:
Hidinginstaircupboard · 31/03/2021 21:27

Umm she should be clear but I'm sure your friend will understand that you want to wait another week or two

I'm breathless all the time, asthmatic who had COVID- it becomes "long Covid " and you aren't contagious but even I understand a year later that people worry when they see me cough even though I'm entirely clear!!

IceCreamAndCandyfloss · 01/04/2021 07:22

I’d wait another week as well as the initial advice was 14 days. I’d not be offended whatsoever if people stayed away for a little longer if I had something contagious. I’d be recommending they did so myself.

nether · 01/04/2021 07:46

I'd postpone, but that's because there is a CEV person in the household and would want to wait until symptoms had completely gone (or a considerably longer time had passed)

I don't know what would be reasonable for lower risk people

(And before anyone chimes in with usual comment, yes they have been vaccinated, no we're not relying on it because early studies have found antibodies in as few as 13% of recipients blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2021/03/30/vaccinated-yet-still-clinically-extremely-vulnerable/ )

fireplaceburning · 01/04/2021 07:47

So it will be 13 days in total?

I'd still go unless I had additional health needs.

FlyingBurrito · 01/04/2021 07:52

I'd still go as the risks of out door meeting is tiny and you can keep apart. 10 day isolation has been in for work and schools for months and hasn't been an issue in indoor settings.

XiCi · 01/04/2021 08:09

So its been 13 days? I'd go, the risk she was still shedding virus and you'd be infected while sitting in her garden is astonishing low. The 10 days was set because people were shown not to be infectious after 9 days. I had covid really mildly but was still a little more breathless than normal a couple of weeks after the isolation period was up. It doesn't mean she's still contagious. I take it you husband is receiving treatment for his anxiety as that seems to be more the issue?

Hey2492 · 01/04/2021 08:09

I’d wait to see her too! 10 days is the rules bur many people might be non contagious shorter than 10 days and others for a lot longer - who actually knows!

I’m having a dilemma this week. relative of mine has a hacking cough and chills therefore should go for a Pcr test but they’ve refused and just done a lateral flow they had - which I believe are only for those with no symptoms. They’ve tested negative with lateral flow and want to see us tomorrow - I’m not trusting the negative lateral flow and won’t be seeing her. Either get a normal test or we will see them in a week or two!!

ifonly4 · 01/04/2021 08:36

I would wait at least 14 days and then make sure it's done at a good distance outside. I'm sure she'll understand. Maybe you can arrange a specific date in the next week or two, so you can both look forward to that.

gurglebelly · 01/04/2021 08:49

My brother was still testing positive at 18 days, so I definitely would postpone

gurglebelly · 01/04/2021 08:51

@Hey2492

I’d wait to see her too! 10 days is the rules bur many people might be non contagious shorter than 10 days and others for a lot longer - who actually knows!

I’m having a dilemma this week. relative of mine has a hacking cough and chills therefore should go for a Pcr test but they’ve refused and just done a lateral flow they had - which I believe are only for those with no symptoms. They’ve tested negative with lateral flow and want to see us tomorrow - I’m not trusting the negative lateral flow and won’t be seeing her. Either get a normal test or we will see them in a week or two!!

That wouldn't be a dilemma for me, they should be self isolating!
XiCi · 01/04/2021 09:01

My brother was still testing positive at 18 days, so I definitely would postpone
This doesn't mean he was contagious. The pcr test is really sensitive and can pick up genetic fragments from past infections. In some cases for months afterwards. It doesn't mean those people need to isolate for that long!!

Myalternate · 01/04/2021 09:19

Will you be socially distanced outdoors or inside her home? I'd go with your gut instinct. As a friend, I doubt she'd be offended in any way.

Violetlavenders · 01/04/2021 10:15

I would wait at least 14 days and even then keep a distance from her outside!

Violetlavenders · 01/04/2021 10:16

Will you be socially distanced outdoors or inside her home?

Are you allowed to meet up inside friends' homes? Confused

HSHorror · 01/04/2021 10:24

Hey they do need pcr
lft miss 50%

XiCi · 01/04/2021 10:33

Hey2492 your relative needs to isolate and get a pcr. I'm astonished at this point over a year on there are still idiots that don't get this (I'm talking about your relative, not you obvs) and I wouldn't be meeting up with her till she had a pcr. What was her rationale in refusing to have a pcr but going for a lft? They are both tested the same way so not sure what she could object to. They ask prior to getting the lft whether you have symptoms as well so she must have lied to get one unless she did a home one. And then would you trust she'd actually done the test or done it properly?

Violetlavenders · 01/04/2021 10:38

relative of mine has a hacking cough and chills therefore should go for a Pcr test but they’ve refused and just done a lateral flow they had

Those lateral flow tests are very unreliable especially if she did it herself!!