LFT/PCR isolation question

[pcrquestion]

My DB's had what he thought was a mild cold since Friday, no temperature or cough. He works from home and hasn't been out all week.

He took a LFT last night and again this morning and both were positive so has ordered a PCR (he can't get to a testing station). Assuming it's positive, will his ten days isolation start from when he gets the PCR result, or from the time of the first LFT or from Friday when his (cold) symptoms started?

From the start of symptoms I think. Have you looked on the government website?

Yes but he's concerned that his symptoms aren't the 'classic three' so won't count, meaning he'll have to keep isolating for longer.

I would assume from the first PCR if he didn’t have ‘symptoms’.

He could always say he had a temperature as well as the cold symptoms!

I would’ve thought from Friday as that’s symptoms but if it comes back positive and they ring him they will go over that.

If he has got covid and he’s not been out all week, then has he caught it from someone else in the household who could be positive without any symptoms. Yes, his isolation should be from Friday when he first had symptoms, although he may get told otherwise if contacted by test and trace.

Thanks all. He feels just the same today as he did on Friday, still just has a bit of a cold.

If he says that he also had a temperature on Friday will he be asked why he didn't test sooner?

@Mindymomo

If he has got covid and he’s not been out all week, then has he caught it from someone else in the household who could be positive without any symptoms. Yes, his isolation should be from Friday when he first had symptoms, although he may get told otherwise if contacted by test and trace.

He lives alone but was out last weekend so assumes he caught it from someone then- he hasn't been contacted by T&T

He's meant to be going on holiday (just in the UK) next Tuesday so is worried about timings, obviously.

Interesting question op. I have often wondered the same. I would say from when the cold symptoms started if the symptoms don't change into the main 3. Delta is presenting like a cold in many cases.