Testing after positive

[Thischarmlessgirl]

Hoping someone can help
My DC tested positive (Lf followed by PCR) on Friday, she starts secondary school in a fortnight and has to have a LF the day before, Will it still show positive and if so do I need some sort of exemption letter to say she’s had it. I really don’t want her missing the first few days of her new school. Some of the reading I’ve done says that you can still test positive for up to 90 days and I’m just wondering how schools manage this with twice weekly testing? Thank you

We are in a similar position, although my child is in y9. Looking back through the school's letters when lateral flow testing was first introduced I found a paragraph saying they shouldn't take a lateral flow test if they've had covid in the last 90 days. However, test and trace didn't quite agree when I had the phone call with them. I would email the school, hopefully you have the HOY contact details for clarification. That's what I'm going to do.

I work for the NHS, we are expected to do LF tests twice a week. My colleague had Covid and was told not to LF for 90 days afterwards because she could still show as positive. I would see if her GP could do an exemption letter maybe? Or does she have evidence of the positive PCR?

You are not supposed to test for 90 days unless you have symptoms and reason to suspect reinfection. Just let school know and they won't need to test.

DS's school have said not to LF if positive within the last 90 days and to inform the school of the positive test date so they know they're exempt.

Thank you that’s useful. I’ve just emailed the HOY and I have proof of the positive PCR

Lfts are also not compulsory for secondary school pupils

It's not compulsory, just write and withdraw consent.

Just decline consent for the in school lateral flow testing.
They cant stop her attending (unless private, maybe they have different rules?) school for not having had the tests.
20% of the school didnt have consent when I was testing.

I emailed and said she had tested positive so wouldn't be able to do the lateral flows before going back.

Most people show as negative on an lft 7-9days after positive test so in theory she should be fine anyway. You could always check by doing them at home anyway.

When the schools first started testing in March my DD had to miss the initial testing as we had all had Covid in January. I rang the school beforehand and explained why she wouldn't be testing until 90 days had elapsed.

They hadn't heard of the 90 days at that point but rang me back the next day to confirm they had checked and I was correct. They also said one of the teachers had the day before unknowingly done a lateral flow within 90 days of testing positive and had got a residual positive result so had been sent home. False positives after infection are definitely a thing.

Just explain the situation and advice to the school and opt back into testing after the 90 days.

I hope your DC recovers quickly and the rest of you are ok.