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Original poster

Teacher and positive case in house!

20 replies

CharlieBrown65 · 19/09/2021 21:56

I'm a teacher and DP has just tested positive on two lateral flows. So far just a sniffle but he's immunocompromised so I'm hoping that stays.

It seems madness that I can go into school to potentially pass this on to the 60 primary children I teach. My head said I'm allowed in.

When is it likely for my symptoms to come out if they do? We can't isolate from each other as no space in the house...
Also as a parent would you prefer me to distance from children and not teach them properly or teach as normal and not distance? I'm in a panic about the right thing to do 😫

OP posts:
SonnetForSpring · 19/09/2021 22:17

I should think you both need a PCR before returning to work.

Time2getSerious · 19/09/2021 22:46

Personally, as a parent, I would prefer if you could isolate but it’s not an option now. A PCR and/or daily LFTs would be a good idea. And a mask to protect others in school. The government has created this dilemma, just at the point they want kids to be vaccinated. It could have been so easily avoided if they had rolled out the vaccinations at the start of the summer holiday.

I’m sorry you been put in this position. And, hope that your partner makes a speedy recovery.

noblegiraffe · 19/09/2021 22:47

Your DH hasn't had a positive PCR so at the moment there's no requirement for you to do anything.

If he gets a positive result, then you will be advised to take a PCR yourself.

What you should probably do is take daily LFTs until then. You could consider wearing a mask in class and trying to keep some distance, I guess it depends on how old your classes are.

The rules are shit, but that's not your fault.

Wellbythebloodyhell · 19/09/2021 22:49

From a parent POV I'd probably like you to have a PCR but assuming that's negative and you return to the classroom please teach my child the way you normally would

noblegiraffe · 19/09/2021 22:51

There's no requirement to stay off work while waiting for the results of a PCR if you don't have symptoms.

seven201 · 19/09/2021 22:55

We've been told at my secondary school that we'd need to come to work and wear a mask in that situation, plus the recommended testing of course. Cases are through the roof where I work so everyone has been advised to wear a mask anyway.

Silkiescatz · 19/09/2021 23:03

As a parent definitely preferred you distanced and avoided contact.

Think average time to show is 5.5 days

Daughter has it now, all lateral flows were negative, 3 friends have it, only two got positive lateral flows and one of those decided to retest and got a negative lateral flow.

You can apply for a pcr as soon as he tests positive without symptoms though not sure when it would show on pcr. Symptoms were not the three listed initially, first nausea / vomitting or upset stomach then cold, scratchy throat, blocked ears then cough later with masses of mucuos.

Hope you are all ok, the rules seem crazy at the moment re household isolation with a positive case. My son has no symptoms so will need to go to school or unauthorised absence, i have warned school and he will wear a mask but it is spreading so fast in the secondaries.

vickyc90 · 19/09/2021 23:08

I would want you to be normal with our son we have accepted he is going to get it in the coming weeks. We both participated in vaccine trials but found out we were antibody positive before we had the vaccine. It's rubbish but knowing we reacted fine to the virus not sure we would even want him vaccinated.

I hope you DH is okay maybe consider sleeping on the coach if you can

Dunrovi · 19/09/2021 23:15

Your DH hasn't had a positive PCR so at the moment there's no requirement for you to do anything

That may be true legally, but a positive LFT is a pretty clear indicator of Covid - he definitely needs a PCR before he goes anywhere / see anyone - and I would strongly recommend you get one too, now and again at the end of the week / next weekend. Plus daily LFTs. Morally that's the right thing to do.

Original poster
CharlieBrown65 · 20/09/2021 02:48

Thanks so much for your replies everyone. A mixed bag of answers! He's booked for a PCR tomorrow and he has more than likely caught it from his class where there's been several cases. I'll book myself in for a PCR also and try and teach 5 year olds from a distance 🙈 it's spread through his class like wildfire which I think is my worry!

OP posts:
Pepperama · 20/09/2021 04:09

As a mum of a more vulnerable child, I'd prefer you to stay home but know that's not an option at the moment.
Open as many windows as you can, stay apart where poss, see if you're comfortable wearing a ffp2 or ffp3 mask and yes, itd be good if you can get a PCR the day after his, and LTFs in between.

motherrunner · 20/09/2021 06:32

I’m a teacher too. We have been told to take daily LFTs and try to maintain distance if we have a positive case at home. Isolating isn’t an option.

BunsyGirl · 20/09/2021 06:32

My DS2’s teacher missed the first week of this term due to his wife having Covid. It remains the school’s policy for staff to isolate if they have a case in their household. However, children with cases in their household can still come to school.

Augusta1 · 20/09/2021 06:49

T hree of us have worked in our schoo!, each with a single positive case at home. We all did PCR tests and daily lateral flows. None of us got it and our family members are now out of isolation. It's quite right that you're expected to work.

EarringsandLipstick · 20/09/2021 06:56

In Ireland where the cases are not through the roof as they are in the UK (1 in 37 of children in Years 7 - 11 in England estimated to have had Covid last week, I read in the Guardian), mask wearing & social distancing are still in place.

The rule is the same, that a fully vaccinated person does not need to restrict their movements or isolate if they are a close contact, unless they show symptoms.

However, your husband needs a PCR test, and of course he needs to isolate if positive. No house is that small that he can't!

Otherwise yes, you go to work as usual & it seems reasonable that you would. However, not wearing masks is a mistake.

Original poster
CharlieBrown65 · 20/09/2021 07:04

By him not isolating I meant from each other! He's definitely isolating apart from his PCR test today.

I think it's just a case of wait and see if I come out. I'll make sure I'm doing my LF tests, I've been doing them twice weekly already which is how we caught it!

OP posts:
TheYearOfSmallThings · 20/09/2021 07:11

I would hope you would take a pcr test, but if that's negative continue as usual. It does seem crazy, but at least you don't need to worry that you are working on a busy ward or clinic full of elderly people!

CarrieBlue · 20/09/2021 08:00

There’s no requirement to take a PCR test if you have no symptoms, regardless of what your DH’s PCR comes back as. You don’t have to isolate if double jabbed, you are not required to wear a mask or socially distance in the classroom or in the staff room. You don’t have to do LFTs at all.

This is what the government are happy with and we’re supposed to be ‘living with Covid’ now, so I’d follow exactly what they want us to do. Lots of parents will be sending kids into your class in exactly the same way.

ifonly4 · 20/09/2021 08:13

Do keep testing. My colleague met up with someone who developed symptoms the next day. Three days after contact she received had a negative PCR, but six days later a positive LFT. She works in a school and has been wearing a mask.

EarringsandLipstick · 20/09/2021 08:18

By him not isolating I meant from each other!

I got that OP!

He needs to isolate from you. Of course he can do that. Even if you live in a 1-bed apartment he can do that.

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