Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Flip

Original poster

Came into contact with someone who is now +ive - do I do LFT or PCR?

18 replies

clericalerrors · 04/10/2021 12:17

Attended a work related event last Tues. Family member of colleague had a +ive LFT on Weds, whole family then did PCRs on Fri/Sat (had to wait for them to be posted out as didn't have any petrol to get to testing) and colleague is +ive. Both colleague and family member now have full on Covid symptoms.

So what's not clear to me - as I've had conflicting advice from work is:

Should I do LFT/ PCR?
Should I be isolating myself until I get a -ive test? (I'm not vaccinated - I think the answer is yes, but just wanted to check)
Should anyone else in my household be testing? (one vaccinated family member is travelling abroad next Mon)

Thank you!

OP posts:

CrocodilesCry · 04/10/2021 12:35

PCR not LFT
Yes you self isolate until you get the results as you are not vaccinated
Nobody else you’ve been in contact with needs to self isolate/test unless you get a positive PCR

CrocodilesCry · 04/10/2021 12:36

On reading it again you weren’t in contact with the actual person within 48 hours before their positive test - so you do nothing.
You can obviously avoid such issues by getting vaccinated (if you are able to rather than if you’ve just refused it).

CrocodilesCry · 04/10/2021 12:38

That should say within 48hrs of symptoms not of positive test.

Original poster

clericalerrors · 04/10/2021 12:39

Someone mentioned the 48 hour part so I was a bit confused. Does it matter that colleague was wanting to test from Weds (and apparently had minor symptoms from Thurs) but couldn't get a test any sooner?

OP posts:

CrocodilesCry · 04/10/2021 12:41

Symptoms from Thursday and you saw them Tuesday - then yes you need a pcr. Sorry I’m ill in bed!

Original poster

clericalerrors · 04/10/2021 12:44

ah don't apologise! Thank you so much for your help and hope you feel better soon. My work are confused on it and reading the govt site didn't clarify, just made it worse. but least now I know I should be doing a PCR. Will keep myself away from my relative too as don't want to risk ruining their (long awaited) holiday.

OP posts:

onelittlefrog · 04/10/2021 13:08

Yes, get a PCR.

If you have symptoms, isolate.

If you don't have symptoms you don't have to, but it would obviously be responsible to limit your social contact with others until you know.

In your position I would get a PCR and isolate until I got the result.

onelittlefrog · 04/10/2021 13:11

Should anyone else in my household be testing?

Initially, anyone who attended the event that the person with Covid was at needs to test.

If your test comes back positive then everyone else in your household - and everyone you have had contact with - needs to test. This is regardless of whether they were at the event (because they've been in contact with you).

Original poster

clericalerrors · 04/10/2021 13:17

I don't have any symptoms - I have some sinus issues but I've had those on and off for weeks. No cough or sore throat or temperature.

I'm WFH this week anyway so won't be in contact with anyone outside the house. Will get a PCR and keep away from rest of the household as much as I can til I know the result.

OP posts:

dollywoodlooksgood · 04/10/2021 13:42

@onelittlefrog

Yes, get a PCR.

If you have symptoms, isolate.

If you don't have symptoms you don't have to, but it would obviously be responsible to limit your social contact with others until you know.

In your position I would get a PCR and isolate until I got the result.

The OP is not vaccinated so will have to isolate for 10 days regardless of whether or not they have symptoms and regardless of PCR result too.

CrocodilesCry · 04/10/2021 14:09

Dolly is quite right - you're unvaxxed OP so you're in isolation for 10 days regardless. Again I blame my half-baked answers on being ill!

starfish4 · 04/10/2021 14:41

Agree, you need to isolate at home for 10 days. If you've been out over the last couple of days, it'd be worth doing a PCR, so anyone you've been into contact is alerted.

dollywoodlooksgood · 04/10/2021 14:42

@CrocodilesCry I’d blame it on the confusing rules . Hope you feel better soon!

hotelharibo · 04/10/2021 14:46

If you are unvaccinated it's PCR and isolation for 10 days sorry!

dementedpixie · 04/10/2021 14:50

Have you even been flagged up as a close contact by test and trace?

Just because you were at the same event doesn't mean you are a contact that needs to test or isolate. Even kids in the same class at school aren't counted as close contacts these days.

Original poster

clericalerrors · 04/10/2021 15:31

@dementedpixie

Have you even been flagged up as a close contact by test and trace?

Just because you were at the same event doesn't mean you are a contact that needs to test or isolate. Even kids in the same class at school aren't counted as close contacts these days.

not been flagged up no, although not sure if I would be as colleague doesn't have a mobile phone/ the T&T app?

We were sat on a table together for several hours at the event so in close proximity. Am trying to find out from anyone else who was there if they've been tested/ are +ive.

OP posts:

dementedpixie · 04/10/2021 15:37

The colleague would be contacted by T&T after the positive test and would give details of contacts. Nothing to do with the app.

Original poster

clericalerrors · 04/10/2021 15:44

I think T&T might struggle, colleague has caller ID on landline and never answers except to numbers they recognise (I know this because I've had to email colleague before to say I'll be calling...)

I'm going to isolate to be on the safe side which tbh isn't any different to what I'd be doing this week anyway. Luckily I did all my food shopping on Sat so we have fully stocked cupboards.

OP posts:

Flip