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Original poster

If someone in your household has tested positive....

142 replies

PerditaMacleod · 27/08/2021 13:21

the need for other family members to isolate has been removed. In this scenario, would you be sending your children back to school next week? Although it's allowed under the rules, it doesn't seem right?! Surely it's going to spread like wildfire, but I guess that's what the govt is going for now?

Interested to see if anyone will be keeping their DC at home if only parent(s) are infected.

OP posts:
Geminijust · 29/08/2021 07:50

As I posted yesterday, DH asked his employer for advice on whether to come in to work (both DCs have tested positive) and was told to go in. When he got there, another manager sent him home and signed him off for the shift (4 days), pending a PCR test. At 6pm last night, this decision was overuled by yet another manager and he's gone back in this morning. He is not comfortable, mostly due to the reactions of some of his colleagues and the worry he could infect them, some of whom are not double jabbed. This is a large national company and even they appear confused by the rules! However, DH suspects he was called back in as they are already short staffed. If this decision results in an outbreak causing further shortages, it will not be his fault.

I'm all for things going back to normal and would like to think the decision that the double jabbed no longer need to isolate is based on solid scientific evidence that they are much less likely to pass the virus on. However, I can't say I've seen any?!........

HalfwomanHalfcookie · 29/08/2021 08:57

Dh has covid atm. I was told by 119 that in order to avoid isolation I would need a negative PCR test result (I'm in England). Took one yesterday and waiting nervously for the result. I have no symptoms.
I agree it seems daft to do one so early, but this has always been the case when a member of a household has it.
If my PCR is negative I will take daily lateral flow tests, isolate as much as possible, but carry on where I have to.
Double jabbed (as is Dh), so fingers crossed I'm one of the fortunate 70% or so who has had strong results from the vaccine.

Does anyone else find that information is really unclear though? If this thread is anything to go by I think it is.

Geminijust · 29/08/2021 09:23

@HalfwomanHalfcookie I'm confused. From 16th August you don't have to isolate if double jabbed. My DC have it, I'm not isolating but have taken PCR (didn't even have to do that) and DH has been instucted to go to work who told him not to bother with PCR (was going to do today but has got to go to work instead).

Original poster
PerditaMacleod · 29/08/2021 09:54

@HalfwomanHalfcookie yes it's not totally clear, but also, it doesn't seem like the right thing to do!

I had my positive test on Friday 20th, DH and DC did a PCR on 21st, all negative so they went out and about while I isolated at home. They all did LFTs every day and then DH's was positive on the 26th. They didn't see friends during that time but otherwise carried on pretty normally as permitted, probably spreading the virus.

Totally selfishly, i do want the DC to go to school/nursery from Wednesday, and that is allowed - but I still feel slightly uncomfortable about it and like I'll be judged if people know that DH is at home with Covid.

OP posts:
Minikievs · 29/08/2021 09:59

Both my kids have tested positive.
I'm negative and double jabbed. So don't have to isolate.
In theory I could go to work but a) I wouldn't be comfortable with a colleague in the same position coming in and b) I've got to WFH now anyway to look after the bloody children! Hmm

Filterphobia · 29/08/2021 10:23

Just had our phone call from TTP. Their words were that DH, DS2 and I are “ free to do what we want!” Confused only DS1 who tested positive needs to isolate.
We can go to work unless our workplace have their own policy which states otherwise. DS can go to school. No mention of any of us needing to test either.

Not sure how I feel about this though.

Princessandthepeas · 29/08/2021 10:43

I work in an adult training setting and we are still not allowed into work if have been a close contact of a positive case; given work to do at home for 10 days instead. All the COVID rules are still in place and we’re still expected to lateral flow test twice week.

I assumed that was because we have SEN learners and some of them have health issues as well - but it doesn’t sounds like that’s universal, reading some of the posts above.

Watapalava · 29/08/2021 10:54

Pool do not isolate when family members have other bugs and viruses - even if someone is bed ridden with flu for weeks

Vaccination has reduced covid to similar illness is most people

It always was minor for kids

For those whomevaccine doesn’t work well they will always be at risk - we can’t hqve restrictions forever wnw covid isn’t going awa

Abraxan · 29/08/2021 11:09

@Watapalava

Pool do not isolate when family members have other bugs and viruses - even if someone is bed ridden with flu for weeks

Vaccination has reduced covid to similar illness is most people

It always was minor for kids

For those whomevaccine doesn’t work well they will always be at risk - we can’t hqve restrictions forever wnw covid isn’t going awa

That should be it was always minor for a lot of children, certainly not all.
santabetterwashhishands · 29/08/2021 11:11

If I or my partner test positive my kids will be staying home.
My son goes to a special school with very vulnerable pupils who could die if they catch it,I wouldn't be able to sleep at night knowing he might pass it on 😢
My daughter would learn from home.

Abraxan · 29/08/2021 11:11

[quote Geminijust]@HalfwomanHalfcookie I'm confused. From 16th August you don't have to isolate if double jabbed. My DC have it, I'm not isolating but have taken PCR (didn't even have to do that) and DH has been instucted to go to work who told him not to bother with PCR (was going to do today but has got to go to work instead).[/quote]
The PCR is advisory but not mandatory.

I suspect his work don't want him to test in case he is asymptomatic and positive, which would mean he was off work for ten days.

fizbosshoes · 29/08/2021 11:38

It is much easier to make moral/unselfish/the right decisions when your household finances (or your job) dont depend on you leaving the house...

DumplingsAndStew · 29/08/2021 11:44

@yellowdigsaur

I wonder if individual schools will make their own rules up about household positives and coming into school - like some did with retaining masks?
As I've said previously, I know our school have had a small number of pupils isolating at home as contacts.
Original poster
PerditaMacleod · 29/08/2021 12:39

@fizbosshoes absolutely, if keeping the dc at home/staying at home myself with no symptoms meant that I wouldn't get paid, I would have absolutely no hesitation in sending them in/going to work. The rules say I can so why wouldn't I, if that was the case.

OP posts:
HalfwomanHalfcookie · 29/08/2021 13:22

As I say, the rules are confusing. The woman I spoke to when I called 119 yesterday told me I needed a PCR in order not to isolate so I took one.
I'm due to start back at work later next week after the summer break. Emails have notified us that we should take a PCR if a household member tests positive which is what I've done. Can't do more than that. Still waiting for result.

PreacherTeacher · 29/08/2021 15:55

That's the thing about it all. The government has made it as clear as mud.

itsgettingwierd · 29/08/2021 16:11

@SheWoreYellow

In Scotland the rest of the family needs a negative pcr to not have to isolate in this situation which seems like a reasonable compromise. I’d be LFTing at the very least though.
Yeah I wish we had mandatory PCR rather than recommended.
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