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Original poster

Do I need to self isolate or what? So confused.

53 replies

Poorkitty · 02/07/2021 16:49

Sorry everyone, I'm really confused about this. I cant find any clear cut information on what to do because my situation is a little more complicated than "being in close contact" with someone.

Over all I just want to do the right thing, so please help me figure out what that is! Grin

Ok, yesterday me and dd (6) went to go see my DM at her caravan. DM said she was feeling a little bit under the weather, I decided to go anyway because I knew me and dd would be staying out of the way anyway because my DM had two dogs that dd doesn't like (they jump and it scares her) and honestly just thought it was a cold like my DM said so. No big deal.. 😑

DM has a fence all around the caravan and a gazebo type thing on one corner, she sat under there and me and dd sat on the other side of the fence (well over two meters away) the whole time we were there (maybe up to an hour) all good.

Only thing is, when I was there I went INSIDE the bloodly caravan to make me and DM a cup of tea. Now today, dm has sent a message saying shes tested positive for covid 🤦‍♀️ dm is fine, still just feels like shes got a cold, we're both double vaccinated.

Now, what they hell do I do! Do me and dd need to isolate now? I know we weren't in contact with DM but I went inside where she had been staying and used the kettle etc. So I'm guessing I touched stuff she has?

Thing is, dd is meant to be going to her dads and grandmas tomorrow and I'm not sure if I should keep her home and keep her off school next week, I'll have to stay off work too obviously. Ffs..

Please advise.

OP posts:
HopingForABetterYear · 02/07/2021 16:56

Yes, you need to isolate

Nikki305 · 02/07/2021 17:05

I don't think you need to isolate but perhaps you should be cautious over the coming days

heymammy · 02/07/2021 17:07

Yes, you need to isolate

SummerHouse · 02/07/2021 17:09

Should I isolate threads are usually very clear cut. This is a dilemma. I think I would probably isolate myself and DD but I wouldn't blame you if you didn't.

heymammy · 02/07/2021 17:11

The test and trace people called me today, my whole family has been struck with covid, and they said the worst area for spreading is in the kitchen because of the sheer amount of things you touch in there.

lborolass · 02/07/2021 17:12

Was she inside the caravan at the same time as you and if so for how long?

There have been a couple of positive cases where I work and no one who simply used the shared kitchen had to isolate if they otherwise hadn't been in close contact. This sounds like a fairly similar situation

misskatamari · 02/07/2021 17:12

I don't think this would be classed as needing to isolate. I would be cautious though. How ventilated was the caravan? How long had DM not been in there etc? As far as I'm aware, it is very unlikely to catch covid from touching surfaces, and is more spread via droplets and aerosol, so in this circumstance, as long as you only nipped in to make a drink, and were over 2m away from dm at all times, I don't think you would be asked to isolate.

Original poster
Poorkitty · 02/07/2021 17:14

@lborolass

Was she inside the caravan at the same time as you and if so for how long?

There have been a couple of positive cases where I work and no one who simply used the shared kitchen had to isolate if they otherwise hadn't been in close contact. This sounds like a fairly similar situation

Hi. No she stayed outside, the kitchen is just near the back door too so plenty of ventilation but yes I did touch taps, kettle, cupboard handles.
OP posts:
misskatamari · 02/07/2021 17:14

isn't very likely from surfaces even!

As i said, it's not clear cut and I would be cautious, but i don't think this would be flagged as a need to isolate personally (unless you had actual contact with dm)

dementedpixie · 02/07/2021 17:15

I dont think you do need to isolate if you weren't actually close to her at any time. When you made the tea were you alone inside the caravan?

lborolass · 02/07/2021 17:16

@heymammy

The test and trace people called me today, my whole family has been struck with covid, and they said the worst area for spreading is in the kitchen because of the sheer amount of things you touch in there.
That's interesting when there is little evidence of transmission by touching things. Has there been some recent research that shows otherwise?
Original poster
Poorkitty · 02/07/2021 17:18

@dementedpixie

I dont think you do need to isolate if you weren't actually close to her at any time. When you made the tea were you alone inside the caravan?
Yeah I was alone. Door to the outside was open too so practically outside if it wasn't for a bench.
OP posts:
MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 02/07/2021 17:19

Yes, you've been in contact with someone who has tested positive. Take PCR tests and isolate for 10 days.

LaurieFairyCake · 02/07/2021 17:22

Well you weren't in contact with her at all according to the OP

If you have your app switched on it will KNOW if you were closer to her than you think you were - so I'm hoping you have your app switched on ?

If it doesn't ping then no, you don't need to

belhaven · 02/07/2021 17:24

Did you not hand her the tea?

shouldistop · 02/07/2021 17:28

You weren't within 2 meters of her for 15 minutes or more so no, you don't need to isolate.

Smartiepants79 · 02/07/2021 17:30

The app is crap. Don’t rely on that.
I would be applying my common sense and not isolating.
Looking at the NHS definition of close contact I’ve added a photo of, you do not meet their criteria and your DD certainly doesn’t.
Get an LFT if your really worried.

Do I need to self isolate or what? So confused.
Smartiepants79 · 02/07/2021 17:31

There should be a photo there!

Do I need to self isolate or what? So confused.
Maryann1975 · 02/07/2021 17:34

Presumably track and trace will be in touch with your dm. She will be given the Opportunity to run through the situation and they will decide. They were really quick to get in touch with our friend who tested positive this week, so hopefully will be with your dm.

Yellow85 · 02/07/2021 17:35

I wouldn’t be isolating. My kids were running in and out a friends house, who’s dad tested positive - test and protect told us the didn’t need to isolate (as long as the kids didn’t test positive in the next 2 days). I asked about surfaces and they told me it was around 10,000 to 1 chance of picking it up from a surface.

sittingonacornflake · 02/07/2021 17:36

It's entirely for NHS test and trace to decide, it's not down to individuals. If they contact you to isolate then yes. If not, no.

TreaslakeandBack · 02/07/2021 17:37

Examples of close contact include:

close face to face contact (under 1 metre) for any length of time – including talking to them or coughing on them
being within 1 to 2 metres of each other for more than 15 minutes – including travelling in a small vehicle
spending lots of time in your home, such as cleaning it

TreaslakeandBack · 02/07/2021 17:37

So no you don’t need to SI

Howcanthisbe123 · 02/07/2021 17:39

You don’t need to isolate. Contagion through surfaces is very very unlikely.

Howcanthisbe123 · 02/07/2021 17:43

People saying that she does need to isolate, I hope you don’t go out in public ever and use the loo, open the shop door, touch the pay pad, incase someone who was positive touched it, otherwise you should be isolating “just in case”!