When do household members need PCR?

[Fruitteatime]

Sorry if this has been covered, but legally do household contacts have to have a PCR if they are in household with someone who has symptoms? Person with symptoms is still waiting for their test result. If positive would think it's worth getting household members tested but don't want them swabbed unnecessarily when it causes distress. Online it seems to say PCR should be taken; not must be taken.

In Scotland they must but in England I think its only advisory.

Sorry should have said in England.

I think it’s just ‘should’

I thought I understood, household members of a someone with a positive PCR should have a PCR themselves but a colleague is in this position today and has been told no need by NHS test and trace, as the rest of the household are edible vaccinated and without symptoms

• double vaccinated

I’ve just asked my DSis who worked for track & trace and she said only if you get symptoms or a positive LFT

@FawnFrenchieMum

I’ve just asked my DSis who worked for track & trace and she said only if you get symptoms or a positive LFT

I'm confused by this as per the information on the NHS website in the screenshot!

@FawnFrenchieMum

I’ve just asked my DSis who worked for track & trace and she said only if you get symptoms or a positive LFT

Not strictly true It's advised to take a PCR but is not mandatory

Says you should take a PCR even if no symptoms

There is now no legal requirement to take a PCR test as a close contact, it’s just advised. For England.

They need to make a quiz thing. Like when they ask a million questions to order the test.

I do think it's only advised BUT in my opinion it would be irresponsible to go about as normal if you haven't been tested and you LIVE with someone with the virus

If you've got a positive PCR in the house it is advised (not mandatory) to have a PCR (England) as a precaution.

If you've got a positive PCR in the house you should isolate for 10 days as close contact unless exempt - double jabbed plus 14 days, or under 18.5 years or not vaccinated due to medical reasons.

I was told by T and T they needed PCR due to close contact.
My kids schools have also said they wanted siblings to be PCRd even if neg LFTs.

Thank you, it's a bit clearer. What I'm not sure on is if my household are advised to have pcrs when I am still waiting for my result for my test that I took due to symptoms or if they are advised to take one once I have a positive result?

I'd maybe wait until you get your test result

If they have symptoms they need a pcr regardless.
If ur pcr is negative they don't need a pcr.
If ur pcr is positive they need a pcr.
I think that's right.....

@Justwingingit2005

If they have symptoms they need a pcr regardless. If ur pcr is negative they don't need a pcr. If ur pcr is positive they need a pcr. I think that's right.....

Yeah I think this is right. Also don't do their PCR too early as they might not have caught it yet.

According to my DC school they should get a pcr if a close contact - that could be someone in their household or class.

Depends what type of school. Secondary schools wouldn't advise a whole class get a PCR as they do look at proximity to the positive case and only advise those who sit very close to get one I think. Primaries are a bit different because they spend a lot of time mixing very closely.

Wait until you have a positive PCR in the house until you test others as close contacts

It's so confusing!

My understanding is that you need to take a pcr test either if one of your household members gets a positive pcr result or if one of your household members has symptoms. So if you did the test because you were symptomatic, then I think your household should be testing anyway, without needing to wait for your result. I might be wrong though.

DD has had positive lateral flow tests after close contact with a confirmed case last week. I also had close contact with the same individual, though for a much shorter period. My lateral flow tests have all been negative so far. Both dd and I have also done pcr tests and we are awaiting the results.

DH didn't have close contact with the confirmed case, so my understanding was that he would only need to test if dd or me came back as positive. However, since then, dd has developed symptoms so I now think he does need to do a pcr test after all. He is utterly confused and I don't actually know if I am right. We are all isolating in the interim anyway, but I think it has all become very unclear since they relaxed the rules and lots of people probably have no idea what they are actually supposed to do!