COVID-19 tests

[Mummyto4888]

Hi, just wondering if anyone knows where I stand with this.

I had COVID-19 45 days ago, as did my four children, did the 10 days isolation. Just over 3 weeks ago we went to Spain to visit my husbands parents. I did the predeparture pcr (as I wasn’t double vaccinated) and it was negative. Also did a predeparture antigen before returning to England, negative, then isolated again, day 2 test negative, day 5 test, negative, so day 6 I could go out again, went for my 2nd vaccine as it had been 28 days since my positive test. I then did my day 8 test on Sunday, then got a ping to say someone from the plane tested positive, so told me to do an nhs pcr. Had that yesterday also, so Monday. Anyway this morning I got the results from the last 2 pcrs within minutes of each other. The day 8 travel (Sunday) was positive and the one from yesterday (Monday nhs one) was negative! What on earth is going on? I’ve very recently had covid. All my tests have been negative except 1 including and nhs one after the positive. I’ve just received a text from nhs also saying my test is negative. Now I’m thinking there’s surely an error with the day 8 one meaning I don’t have to isolate again. I’ve literally spent 20 days in the last 45 in isolation 😭 I can’t do another 10 days. Anyone been through similar? What was the outcome? Did test and trace contact you? Many thanks

You aren't supposed to do a PCR up to 90 days after testing positive as they are so sensitive. It could be positive based on your previous infection.

Can you ring 119 for advice?

Well I’ve done 5 🤷🏼‍♀️ 3/4 private ones negative. And the nhs one negative. There was no way around it with travel. When I booked the nhs one I filled in that I had tested positive within 90days and still allowed me to book it. I obviously don’t have covid again. I do hope they’ll be able to override this don’t I don’t have to isolate again 🤞🏻🤞🏻

You aren't meant to do tests for the following 90 days after having covid as the pp said.

It's probably still in your system but you're not infectious by now.

It’s so strange though isn’t it. If I’d have tested positive on my predeparture test I’d not have travelled. Strange that out of 5 pcr tests only 1 is positive. And then negative the day after too. Totally lost at what I’m supposed to do. I’m hoping when I speak with test and trace, they’ll realise it’s either old virus popping back to say hello or an error and allowing me not to have to isolate again. Is that likely?

And saying that if I’m not supposed to have done tests 90 days after my positive, surely they’ll take that into account re isolation too. I’m totally healthy now, feel normal, other than a sore arm from my jab on Sunday. Covid was horrible when I had it 😣

That's not true about the 90 days thing. It's just that it can show up, if you need to test for travel you still should.

I think OP the only thing to do is contact t&t and see what the day although I'd imagine they might make you isolate.

Thank you - I’ll have to keep my fingers crossed then. Another 10 days when we all had it so recently would be horrible

Unfortunately you can catch it again so quickly. There's someone who had covid last Autumn, got double vaccinated, caught alpha in April and the caught delta 15 days later.

But if that was the case it’s highly unlikely I’d test positive one day then negative a day later. All lfts are negative also and when I have covid they were blazing double lines. Sounds like the somone you know was extremely unlucky

Sounds like there was an issue with that one test if the NHS one the day after was negative as well as LFT's.

No idea of the lab where the private tests are sent, but if you saw the Panorama documentary on the lab in Milton Keynes and the cross contamination of tests, you can most definitely see why there are false positives!
It was pre Christmas when labs were stacked and trying to meet targets, so no idea if it is still going on but it was an eye opener.

I think I would be tempted to get a final test and base my next actions on that.

Thank you - I think I’ll go for another and confirm it’s definitely negative xxx

This is going to make travel a nightmare if people who have had covid can't take a test 90 days within infection but need to show a test to travel!

Isn’t it just. What a nightmare!

I could be in the same boat. Had to do a day 2 travel test today after having covid last month.. I did a very quick nose swab no throat so fingers crossed it's negative. I've seen people catch delta after the previous variants but I don't think anyone has caught delta then delta again straight after?? So I'm not worried about a "new" positive.

No I’m not worried about a new positive either…especially since it was positive pcr followed by negative pcr and also all lfts negative. T&t called today, and had me on the phone for over an hour, passing me from person to person to try and put a note on my account to say it was negative. I’ve had no emails or texts with it either like I did when I was actually positive so it’s all very odd. Eventually they said a specialist would call me back, but I’m still waiting on that.

Good luck with your test results summersdreaming!

Just had another call from them and I’m being taken off the system so I’ll hopefully not hear from them again now 🤞🏻 Which is great news. Also did another pcr yesterday and results this morning another negative!

Oh that's good news! I'll be arguing mine if it comes back positive (I'll be suprised if it comes back within 10 days after reading the reviews )