Positive LFT x 2 and symptoms - do anything other than isolate for 10 days?

[bettybottersbetterbutter]

Ds had a bit of a sniffle last tuesday & Wednesday - I foolishly didn't think anything of it until he woke up Thursday morning saying he felt a bit ropey and flu like and has since shown more classic symptoms so no doubt it's Covid as he was in contact with someone over the weekend, He did 2 LFT both showing strong positives within an hour of each other so I just called school to let them know he won't be back until Monday week and rest of the family tested but otherwise that's it.

Should I be logging his Covid anywhere? Will he need a negative PCR to go back to school and if so when do I do it and how quickly do results come in ? I ordered at home PCR tests last Thursday but still not received so we're all doing daily LFT and hoping for the best! Really keen to get him back to school as he's year 11, very behind and his school seem reluctant/incapable of sending any work home and just tell him he should be revising so the rest of the year aren't learning anything during the first week of term - yeah right you just can't be arsed to set separate work

You should always log lateral flow tests. If positive, you should go for a PCR test.

Oh I can't just use the postal PCR tests if they ever arrive. I did wonder but then figured it must surely be better to order home kits than to take out a knowingly infected person. And we know when his 10 day period should end, but will they want to do it from date of test or note my comments about date of symptoms?

You don't need a negative test to go back to school. In fact once you've had a positive pcr (assuming he gets one) you shouldn't test at all for 90 days as positive could still show and you won't be infectious.

I think you would count 10 days from first day of symptoms or positive test whichever came first.

Yes you should in theory log the LFT and also the PCR when you get it however these days I'm unsure of the point tbh because not many people have to self isolate. Make sure everyone he's seen - and the school of course - is aware. And best that everyone has a pcr test soon. I wouldn't let anyone out the house without a negative LFT and ideally negative PCR but it's not your fault they haven't turned up. No testing centres near you? We have about 3 within a 10 minute drive.

You need to have a PCR test. Either by going to a test centre or by ordering one through the post.

@DontMakeMeShushYou

You need to have a PCR test. Either by going to a test centre or by ordering one through the post.

She has ordered it’s not her fault it hasn’t arrived yet

Thanks still waiting for the PCR tests (3 texts in as many days to say they've been redirected ) and nearest centre is 20 miles away so just hoping they show up soon!

Just to add - sorry not good news- most schools count the ten days from pcr test not lateral flow. Legally I think this is also the case. My dd tested positive lateral flow Sunday but school count from Monday- government advice is the same so legally I think you are not in the ten days, it's a bit annoying as if you didn't test at all you could probably count from symptoms starting - although my daughter was a symptomatic till the day or pcr test

See attached

Sorry just seen symptoms were Thursday so I think you're right with next Monday - I'm finding it hard to get clear info for dd as under 16 so doesn't have the app so I've not had anyone ring to give me official rules and advice have just gone with what school have said

I don’t think that’s true as the isolation period starts from the first day of symptoms even if you test later. First day of symptoms (or day of test if no symptoms ) is day 0, then there are 10 full days after that. Our school asked for us to forward the test and trace notification for their records - my son tested positive before term started, so otherwise we could have been on a cheaper term time holiday!

I would another PCR, or take him to a drive in test centre where you don't go near other people. The postal ones usually arrive the next day.

*would order another PCR

You need to have the PCR test for test and trace to kick into action. Schools are no longer responsible for this. T&T will ask close contacts to get a PCR test. My DDs school have said if we get a positive PCR to directly contact anyone at school who we think might be a CC so that they can get tested as T&T take so long.