Son tested positive at uni, nhs app says isolate for 7 days...is it safe to then collect him?

[NecklessMumster]

DS went back to uni 4 weeks ago, went out last weekend as per rules and met two people off his course for the first time face to face ( he's a first year). Then he got notify from track and trace that he'd been near someone positive for C19, and then he developed symptoms so did pcr test which came back positive and said to isolate for 7 more days. Which is roughly next weekend. Obviously I'm worried for him as he has no local support networks, doesn't really get on with flat mates who are also self isolating and I want to go and get him as soon as the quarantine is over. But is it safe to get him then? Or enter his halls of residence to empty it out for end of term? Or wait outside? Is he meant to do another test? I thought we were coming to end of tunnel but it's all got real again

Yes it’s ok to go and get him after his isolation period is over, if he could get a PCR test in the meantime it might be advisable or to take LFT as this would be more safe. I would feel safer waiting outside and not enter residence, but obviously if you have to go in, just do it quickly and don’t hang around. It will be a different case if he gets symptoms in the meantime, then has to get tested and isolate further.

I thought you had to isolate ten days for a positive result? Did it take him three days to get his results (taking it up to ten days presuming he was isolated from the point of testing).

Thank you. All the guidance I can find just seems to say if you feel well after isolation period then leave, but I keep thinking of him in that stuffy little room full of virus covered possessions! And I don't know what stage of quarantine his flat mates are in - shared kitchen etc.

cornettoninja yes, I think he got symptoms Weds, and test results Saturday

It’s 10 days from the start of symptoms or positive test if no symptoms.
At the end of the 10 days he can stop isolating unless he still has a temperature.

As long as he does not have nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea a runny nose and sneezing or a high temperature at the end of his isolation he can return to usual activities.

I suppose it seems a bit arbitrary without doing another test after the 10 days, it's guidance based on average statistics isn't it? Anyone else I would leave it longer than recommended time but I don't want to leave him any longer than I have to.

@Mindymomo

Yes it’s ok to go and get him after his isolation period is over, if he could get a PCR test in the meantime it might be advisable or to take LFT as this would be more safe. I would feel safer waiting outside and not enter residence, but obviously if you have to go in, just do it quickly and don’t hang around. It will be a different case if he gets symptoms in the meantime, then has to get tested and isolate further.

No, dont take another test so soon...i think the recommendation is no more tests within 90 days as it'll generate another positive result

suranjeep that's what was confusing me, still having showing the virus but not being infectious

Don’t take another test within 90 days unless new symptoms, he may still have inactive virus in his system and can still show positive. This would put him back in isolation.
As long as he doesn’t have above symptoms he can leave isolation at the end of isolation.
I wouldn’t recommend entering the building yourself though if there are other positive cases present.

Are you not vaccinated? It should be fine after 10 days as long as no temperature etc.

He will test positive for up to 90 days after having covid. Do not retest.

After the 7 days he is fine to leave as long as he has stopped sneezing, having a runny nose or temperature. If he has any of these symptoms wait another 4 days in addition to the 7 days. The cough will linger but that’s not infectious and so not an issue

needawantaholiday thank you. He finished his course a week ago
He's got a bit of a blocked nose but generally ok, more worried about low mood really. DP scared of him bringing covid home so I'm trying to reassure him.

saltyslug fingers crossed he'll be symptom free by then

He should be fine to bring home next weekend then. If your DP is nervous could he separate from you and your DS for a week or so at home? Your DP could do a kind of isolation-lite himself.

I don’t think he’s being entirely unreasonable being a bit nervous but ultimately your ds will have cleared the timescale officially set and should be supported as much as possible. It’s completely doable to put in extra precautions at home for a few extra days though.