Do I need a PCR?

[Paperbackmermaid]

Very very mild, almost not even there symptoms since Tuesday. Negative LFT Tuesday. Negative yesterday. Two positives this morning.
Do I need to bother with a PCR? I will isolate now, but I think two LFT are conclusive. I don’t need the PCR for work.

Yes you need a pcr. I don't get how people don't know this by now

Ok. Can I ask why?
I’m not going out for ten days now.

Actually, if you plan to isolate anyway you wouldn’t NEED the PCR to confirm. However I would say get the PCR only for in case you need to take a test in the next 90 days as you can test positive for a long time even when not contagious. As someone who’s positive with Covid you will get a certificate to say this on your NHS app. You wouldn’t want to miss out on something, or have to isolate needlessly in the future.

@trevthecat

Yes you need a pcr. I don't get how people don't know this by now

Why? Where does it say you must have a PCR if you are going to isolate anyway?

If you plan to isolate then no
But my DS just had a negative PCR after a positive LFT so he's going back to school and I'm going back to work. I think it's worth taking one if you want to get back to normal.

It won't let me post a screenshot but it says on the NHS website 'get a pcr test as soon as possible if you have a positive lateral flow test'

www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing/get-tested-for-coronavirus/

I’ve had two positive LFT so I’m pretty sure I’ve got it.
I just wondered if I needed to bother with the PCR since I’m isolating anyway. It being positive won’t make any difference to me.

Then no, though it helps with official stats I guess
Maybe order a postal test for convenience

@whiteonesugar

Actually, if you plan to isolate anyway you wouldn’t NEED the PCR to confirm. However I would say get the PCR only for in case you need to take a test in the next 90 days as you can test positive for a long time even when not contagious. As someone who’s positive with Covid you will get a certificate to say this on your NHS app. You wouldn’t want to miss out on something, or have to isolate needlessly in the future.

This is what I was going to say.

@whiteonesugar

Actually, if you plan to isolate anyway you wouldn’t NEED the PCR to confirm. However I would say get the PCR only for in case you need to take a test in the next 90 days as you can test positive for a long time even when not contagious. As someone who’s positive with Covid you will get a certificate to say this on your NHS app. You wouldn’t want to miss out on something, or have to isolate needlessly in the future.

This But if you forfeit this benefit in favour of not having to answer endless calls from T&T, I get that too.

whiteonesugar is right. Also you might get worse in a week due to COVID (hopefully not) and it would be better for medical professionals to know for sure what they’re dealing with.

You could keep testing positive for ages so might be unable to travel etc if you don’t have evidence of a positive now. Plus you need to tell test a s trace who you had contact with in the 48 hrs before symptoms started to now. If you can’t be bothered to go to a test centre just order one for home. But then tell you contacts yourself.

I’ve told my contacts, but they are all double jabbed anyway so no need to isolate. Luckily I work from home so hadn’t really seen anyone apart from my mum.

Is the PCR result linked to your medical records? I think I'd want it on my record for future reference.