Do you legally have to get a PCR test?

[Thisismynewname123]

If you know your child has covid, you're following all of the isolation rules, close contacts are also isolating (or also have covid), is it a legal requirement to get tested?

@ISaidDontLickTheBin

As PP have already said no you don't have to and the clock starts from the symptoms starting. Contact tracing through Test and Trace doesn't happen without a positive PCR though. But I wonder why you wouldn't want them to have a PCR, given that you've done several LFTs on them already? The PCR test is no worse, especially if you get a home one.

Presumably trying to avoid test and trace contacting their known contacts?

Presumably trying to avoid test and trace contacting their known contacts?

Why is that a bad thing surely it's better to tell people so they don't carry on as normal if they get a 'cold' or a bit of a cough without knowing it could be covid

When you log an LFT result it should be recorded on your medical records. If you want the PCR result on there though you could just send for a home test. There is possibly an advantage of having the result logged, tests may show a false positive for 3 months after covid so if asked to do routine screening it might be a good thing to be able to prove he has had covid

But I wonder why you wouldn't want them to have a PCR, given that you've done several LFTs on them already? The PCR test is no worse, especially if you get a home one.

Why would you need too? You don't need a weatherman to tell you it's raining do you? They're following isolation guidance and worked out who's been close contact already as others in the group have also tested positive. Other than to add this specific case onto government official figures what exactly is getting a PCR going to achieve here.

Presumably trying to avoid test and trace contacting their known contacts?

Are people incapable of informing their own contacts? People are much more likely to answer a call from someone they know rather than an unknown or withheld number from T&T

@Wellbythebloodyhell

Presumably trying to avoid test and trace contacting their known contacts?

Are people incapable of informing their own contacts? People are much more likely to answer a call from someone they know rather than an unknown or withheld number from T&T

If T&T contact, it is still currently a legal requirement to isolate, whereas if you do it yourself it is not. It is not about anyone being 'incapable'.

@BritishSummertime

Presumably trying to avoid test and trace contacting their known contacts?

Why is that a bad thing surely it's better to tell people so they don't carry on as normal if they get a 'cold' or a bit of a cough without knowing it could be covid

Your post makes no sense so back at you

I mean they are trying to avoid people being legally instructed to isolate and keep it informal. This is not a positive step for avoiding spread.

@lannistunut in this instance OP has stated close contacts are already isolating. So again....what difference does a PCR make in this scenario?

[quote Wellbythebloodyhell]@lannistunut in this instance OP has stated close contacts are already isolating. So again....what difference does a PCR make in this scenario?[/quote]
As I said upthread, I would want my child tested because if they get persistent symptoms, the absence of a positive test will make it harder to get the right treatment.

If all close contacts are isolating, then in this instance T&T will have no work to do.

So presumably the OP just CBA, which is poor care for the child, but has no public health implications.

I mean they are trying to avoid people being legally instructed to isolate and keep it informal. This is not a positive step for avoiding spread.

I thought you were saying T&T not knowing was a good reason to not get tested, I misunderstood & actually agreed with you!

No. But I would so that it's on medical records. I've had end stage renal failure probably as a result of Covid (no other explanation and consultant is exploring my case with colleagues). My issues came from nowhere and I was dependent on dialysis for a time, thankfully they managed to kick start my kidneys again and I'm functioning again.

We don't know what this virus is capable of long term, get tested if in any doubt then you or child can be monitored in future.

But I don’t understand not wanting to have the rest of already had pcr and they are positive.

Test not rest bloody auto correct

But I don’t understand not wanting to have the rest of already had pcr and they are positive.

Why though they are isolating no need for a PCR test, people's medical business is no one elses business

No, my older daughter treasured positive for covid. The younger one had almost identical symptoms except also a high temperature, we didn't get her separately tested just assumed she had it and added on an extra day of isolation.