Can somebody clarify isolation rules please?

[Maybcrazy]

My eldest DC tested positive for covid over the weekend, we have of course isolated as a household as none of us are vaccinated. Since then my other DC and myself have also tested positive around 4 days after my eldest had it. So for us our isolation has started again for 10 days since our symptoms.

But for my eldest is he still required to isolate for the extra time me and my other DC will have to or is he free to return to school after the original 10 days of isolation when he tested positive?

The school have been very unhelpful and have infact not replied to calls and emails I have sent.

Do we need to get him a negative PCR before he returns to school also?

Your oldests isolation remains unchanged, and assuming he no longer has a temperature, and feels well enough to do so, can leave the house on the original end of isolation date.

Assuming you are in England then what PeonyTime has said is completely correct. Your eldest ends their isolation (assuming the have no remaining symptoms other than a cough and/or loss of taste and/or smell) on their original date.

The only exception to this would be if your eldest was asymptomatic and then developed symptoms during their 10 day isolation. If this happened then they would have to restart their 10 days from the day the symptoms started (that day plus 10 full days after) and so would anyone else in the household who was not unwell at that point.

Anyone who remains well throughout your eldest's original 10 days can also end their isolation in the same day as your eldest.

With regard to needing a negative PCR test before ending isolation, this is not a requirement. It is actually advised not to test for 90 days following a positive result as you can still test positive in this timeframe from the original infection. The only time you should test within the 90 days is if you develop symptoms again as then it has to be assumed that it could be a new infection.

I understand that rules in Scotland are different in some areas but do not know how they vary.

(My credentials - I have spent the last 15 months working this out in relation to English Uni halls of residence! )

Would you consider getting vaccinated?

Those that have had positive PCR results are advised not to have another PCR test for 90 days, so no you do not need to get him a test after his isolation. Once his 10 days are up he can go back to school etc.