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Original poster

Someone tell me what to do – probable contact but no notification to isolate

26 replies

BlackInk · 09/07/2021 10:56

I'm in a dilemma and just can't decide what I should do!

Saw my niece for lunch on Monday and she tested positive on a PCR yesterday, symptoms started and positive LFTs on Wednesday afternoon.

We all checked in to the lunch venue with the app and all had contact tracing turned on. None of us have been notified or contacted to isolate.

We were sitting outdoors but well within 2 metres for a couple of hours or so. I'm just about double vaccinated.

My niece hasn't been contacted by T&T yet so noone has asked about her contacts/movements.

So. I had direct contact probably on the cusp of being within the 48 hour window. Should I isolate? Should I carry on as normal? I can't semi-isolate as I work outside of the home with the public some days, help care for my mum and also have my daughter's birthday party this weekend :(

Is there a clear right thing to do here??

OP posts:
kimlo · 09/07/2021 10:58

has she put the code in to the app?

Beamur · 09/07/2021 10:58

Can you go to a walk in centre and get tested?
If you're negative, you should be fine.

Original poster
BlackInk · 09/07/2021 11:00

Yeah, she's reported her result on the app.
I plan to do daily LFTs but can't see much point in a single PCR as all it will tell me is that I'm not positive on that day. I could be the next day...

OP posts:
CreamFirstThenJamOnTop · 09/07/2021 11:02

Yes you should isolate really.
When DS tested positive I had to give names to test & trace of contacts (we had been out for a meal)…. Did she do that?

Original poster
BlackInk · 09/07/2021 11:23

She hasn't been contacted by T&T yet. Her mum has spoken to them but all they said was that she will get a text with a code in at some point.

It's totally useless as a system if it takes so long.

I'm only really doubting what to do as I'm on the cusp of having been with her in the 48 hours before symptoms started. If I knew how they calculate it I could work out what I should do...

OP posts:
Motorina · 09/07/2021 12:31

In your shoes I would isolate. Sorry. The reality is you are at realistic risk of being exposed.

justchecking1 · 09/07/2021 12:31

They'll often go by positive test so you wouldn't be within 48 hours if she had that yesterday

cls123 · 09/07/2021 13:45

it's a moral dilemma that many will be going through with similar situations until aug 16th ...as then the rules change to a position that will state that you,as a double jabbed person(as long as 2 wks post jab) ,do not have to isolate after a positive contact...so really up to you i'm afraid, as legally at the mo you would likley have to isolate if your niece gives you as a close contact.I would feel obliged to if i wasn't at least 2 wks post second jab.

cls123 · 09/07/2021 13:48

ps i think its more effective to then take daily LFT's (which is a trial thats been going on) as, exactly as you say, a PCR will only show a one-off picture.

Deux · 09/07/2021 13:50

In your shoes I wouldn’t isolate but would do daily lateral flow tests.

curlyLJ · 09/07/2021 14:06

In your shoes, I wouldn't isolate. If you haven't been contacted, I think it makes much more logical sense to just do daily flow tests.

pommedeterre · 09/07/2021 14:12

Id do a pcr as a starting point of knowing you didn't have it that day and then daily LFs for a week.

Original poster
BlackInk · 09/07/2021 14:20

Thanks folks, this has helped actually. I couldn't find anything online regarding what to do if you suspect you're a close contact but haven't been notified.

I'm going to carry on as normal-ish (being extra careful and avoiding close contacts as much as possible), but take daily LFTs... unless I'm pinged by the app or followed up by T&T.

Thanks :)

OP posts:
Lamentations · 09/07/2021 14:32

Do a test and crack on with your life.

Figgygal · 09/07/2021 14:39

You do know based on the system in place at the moment you should be isolating you shouldn’t need somebody to tell you that or tell you that it’s okay if you don’t
Terrible timing I know

Needcoffeecoffeecoffee · 09/07/2021 14:43

@justchecking1

They'll often go by positive test so you wouldn't be within 48 hours if she had that yesterday
Isnt it start of symptoms or test result if no symptoms?
Original poster
BlackInk · 09/07/2021 14:48

I don't know though @Figgygal

I was with my niece until about 3pm on the Monday. She started to feel unwell at about 3pm on the Wednesday, so it's totally on the cusp of being within the 48 hour window isn't it? Would T&T err on the side of caution or not?

Also, there's no official information I can find regarding what to do if you suspect yourself to be a close contact but haven't been alerted.

DN still hasn't been contacted by T&T and they were unable to help when DS called them.

Yes, I agree the very safest thing for me to do is isolate. But that isn't without impact on my own family and work.

OP posts:
Original poster
BlackInk · 09/07/2021 14:50

Presumably, if you don't even HAVE to isolate when pinged by the app, you certainly don't HAVE to if not alerted at all?

OP posts:
waitingforwinter · 09/07/2021 15:04

@BlackInk My sisters boyfriend was at a stag do (a few hours outside in a garden) with 13 others last Saturday. 1 started feeling ill on the Tuesday evening - then positive PCR on the Wednesday. Stag do had been over 48 hours prior so no others were required to isolate. By Friday night 8 of the 13 from the stag had tested positive (5 of them with no symptoms).
I have no idea what the 48 hour thing is all about as it’s far too short a window IMO! I’d isolate if I were you and do regular LFTs!

Skybluepinkgiraffe · 09/07/2021 15:08

I was under the impression that test and trace was so you'd be notified if someone you didn't know tested positive and you wouldn't have known otherwise.
If I had been in contact with someone I knew to be positive, I'd certainly isolate.

curlyLJ · 09/07/2021 15:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

curlyLJ · 09/07/2021 15:28

Sorry different thread!

Gingerkittykat · 09/07/2021 16:19

[quote waitingforwinter]@BlackInk My sisters boyfriend was at a stag do (a few hours outside in a garden) with 13 others last Saturday. 1 started feeling ill on the Tuesday evening - then positive PCR on the Wednesday. Stag do had been over 48 hours prior so no others were required to isolate. By Friday night 8 of the 13 from the stag had tested positive (5 of them with no symptoms).
I have no idea what the 48 hour thing is all about as it’s far too short a window IMO! I’d isolate if I were you and do regular LFTs![/quote]
It is possible that the boyfriend caught the virus at the stag do and didn't pass it on to anybody and that the others also caught the virus from the same source.

GhoulWithADragonTattoo · 09/07/2021 16:28

You could ring 111 for advice…

waitingforwinter · 09/07/2021 16:34

@Gingerkittykat Her boyfriend didn’t catch it thankfully. But 8 of them developed symptoms or tested positive out with the 48 hour window

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