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Original poster

Confused about isolation period?

29 replies

doorornottodoor · 08/07/2021 17:30

Looking back my DS started symptoms on Thursday 1st July but we didn’t test him until Sunday 3rd. Positive PCR result arrived on Monday. Rest of us negative PCR and staying well away from him in house. Different floor/bathroom.

I thought we would be out of quarantine on Monday 12th- counting 10 days from the 1st. (Rules say 10 days from test/ symptoms whichever earliest) But just got a text that says Wednesday 14th. This is a big blow as my DD has a national sports match the day before for national selection.

Can anyone help?

OP posts:
SilverGlitterBaubles · 08/07/2021 17:32

Rules say 10 days from symptoms unless no symptoms then it's 10 days from test.

NewallKnowall · 08/07/2021 17:35

It's 10 full days after the first day of symptoms according to the contact tracer who rang us. So Friday is day 1 and you would be free on Monday.

Have you spoken to anyone yet, otherwise the text alerts just go off the positive test date.

Original poster
doorornottodoor · 08/07/2021 17:36

Yes my son has just spoken to someone. He’s only 16 though. I may call back the number in the text and explain. A few days doesn’t matter to me but it’s a nightmare for this trial.

OP posts:
NewallKnowall · 08/07/2021 20:03

We got an updated date via email after speaking to them

twinmum86 · 08/07/2021 20:06

When you order the test you have to put in first day of symptoms. That's what they will be going from. Did you put Sunday?

Jenasaurus · 08/07/2021 20:14

Sorry to hijack your thread OP but can I ask a similar question although slightly different.

I worked at my DS house today and his friend popped over with something for my DS. He sat with us in the lounge for a while. I am now back home and my DS called to say his friend has just tested positive for COVID, he did 2 Lateral Flow Tests for work as he is about to go on shift an both came back positive. He is double vaccinated and had no symptoms so had no idea he could be positive.

I work from home so not a problem isolating if I have to, but I have a meeting face to face with my team on Tuesday and dont know if I am allowed to attend. My DD said I have to isolate for 10 days, but my DS said I just have to do a test tomorrow and if negative dont need to isolate. Which is correct please

Jenasaurus · 08/07/2021 20:17

@SilverGlitterBaubles

Rules say 10 days from symptoms unless no symptoms then it's 10 days from test.
Ahhh so this is correct for me too, he had no symptoms and tested positive today although lateral flow tests (2 to make sure)

Do lateral flow tests come back with false positives very often? He is double vaccinated and not unwell at all so seems unlikely, however his wife is a teacher so could be from her, I am guessing.

SilverGlitterBaubles · 08/07/2021 20:17

@doorornottodoor

Yes my son has just spoken to someone. He’s only 16 though. I may call back the number in the text and explain. A few days doesn’t matter to me but it’s a nightmare for this trial.
I would speak to them, the T&T call and script is quite lengthy and often irrelevant and things could have been misinterpreted. Really they should have your contact details for your DS as he is under 18.
twinmum86 · 08/07/2021 20:19

@Jenasaurus you need to isolate for 10 days from contact.

You can get false negatives but two is unlikely.

If he does a PCR test and it's negative, then neither he, nor you and your son would continue with the isolation.

Jenasaurus · 08/07/2021 20:21

Thanks, my son sent me this which appears we dont have to isolate unless we are contacted by test and trace which would only happen if his friend tells them he spent the afternoon with us, but I dont want to infect anyone and my manager who is meeting us has just been given the all clear from cancer but we are all double vaccinated too

Jenasaurus · 08/07/2021 20:22

sorry forgot file

Confused about isolation period?
dementedpixie · 08/07/2021 20:27

@Jenasaurus

Thanks, my son sent me this which appears we dont have to isolate unless we are contacted by test and trace which would only happen if his friend tells them he spent the afternoon with us, but I dont want to infect anyone and my manager who is meeting us has just been given the all clear from cancer but we are all double vaccinated too
Has the friend gone for a PCR? If that's positive then he should give your details to the T&T team who would then contact you
Jenasaurus · 08/07/2021 20:33

Thank you dementedpixie I will wait to see if I am contacted but in the meantime be careful and continue working from home and having no contact with others just in case. My DD has had one vaccine so far (she lives with me, but she also is being investigated for permanently enlarged lymph nodes and cysts on her thyroid soI worry if she got it, it could be bad)

Original poster
doorornottodoor · 08/07/2021 20:44

Hi, I called T&T and they agreed with my timeline and amended the date to the Monday. Phew! I don’t have it officially yet but hopefully I’ll get a text.

Thanks all!

OP posts:
twinmum86 · 08/07/2021 21:05

No you don't legally have to isolate until contacted. But you know you will be a contact so should isolate immediately.

User3billion · 08/07/2021 21:11

Does school contacting you count as "official" for isolation reasons?

twinmum86 · 08/07/2021 21:31

@User3billion yes. They will have got their advice from PHE

User3billion · 08/07/2021 21:33

But what's "advice" and what is legally binding? That's my issue. What if it's just a "suspected case" and not confirmed?

twinmum86 · 08/07/2021 22:08

I guess it depends on the reason for the suspicion.

Someone has symptoms - no isolation required except their household unless they test positive

Positive lateral flow test - bubble should isolate for 10 days unless overridden by a negative pcr.

Positive pcr and contact by the school - bubble should isolate for 10 days

I think the isolation following either of the positive test scenarios is legally binding

Original poster
doorornottodoor · 08/07/2021 22:08

You need to isolate after being in touch with a positive lateral flow case and continue to isolate unless the PCR comes back negative.

OP posts:
User3billion · 08/07/2021 22:20

Wonderful, so whole classes need to isolate on the strength of a fundamentally flawed test that can yield a positive test from orange juice. 🤦‍♀️

Original poster
doorornottodoor · 08/07/2021 23:24

No don’t be so dramatic! Only until the PCR is done. Also, here it’s just close contacts not whole classes. Senior school that is.

OP posts:
User3billion · 09/07/2021 00:28

It is the whole class and it is nonsense and pointless.

Palavah · 09/07/2021 00:47

@Jenasaurus

Sorry to hijack your thread OP but can I ask a similar question although slightly different.

I worked at my DS house today and his friend popped over with something for my DS. He sat with us in the lounge for a while. I am now back home and my DS called to say his friend has just tested positive for COVID, he did 2 Lateral Flow Tests for work as he is about to go on shift an both came back positive. He is double vaccinated and had no symptoms so had no idea he could be positive.

I work from home so not a problem isolating if I have to, but I have a meeting face to face with my team on Tuesday and dont know if I am allowed to attend. My DD said I have to isolate for 10 days, but my DS said I just have to do a test tomorrow and if negative dont need to isolate. Which is correct please

Go and do a PCR tomorrow and yes you need to isolate for 10 days
twinmum86 · 09/07/2021 07:01

@User3billion

Curious to know why you think it's pointless?

You think the unwell child has something else not Covid?