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Original poster

"She's fine, we've done a lateral flow"

201 replies

Happymchappy · 21/10/2021 09:20

I just wondered if anyone else is coming across this more and more amongst parents at school. The vast majority of people I chat to seem to be relying heavily on lateral flows these days - less so PCRs for close contacts, coughs etc.
I'm just intrigued how common this is more widely?
I'm sure if a child was visibly ill with symptoms the school would send them home and they'd get a PCR then - I've come across it more in social interactions like playdates etc.

OP posts:
pommedeterre · 22/10/2021 08:41

[quote littlestmunchkin]@worriedatthemoment they called multiple times and each call was irritating. So I stopped answering then the council test and trace called who were excellent (top tip)[/quote]
Did you give a landline? I have a theory that the call landlines lots and mobiles only once!

Hopeisallineed · 22/10/2021 08:46

We test our kids 3 times a week. Just picked up a positive in my daughter and would not have known. PCR confirmed it. Now School have said wait three days and PCR son before allowed back in school. People saying you are not allowed to do ask for a PCR without symptoms, how am I supposed to do this? 😉

pommedeterre · 22/10/2021 08:51

Close contact! Keep saying no and then the option of having been in contact with someone with covid comes up.

PissedOffWeddingGuest · 22/10/2021 08:58

Instructions from my DS’ school for getting a PCR test when you are a close contact:

“Do not choose the essential worker option
Select ‘No’ for – does the person who needs a test currently have any coronavirus symptoms?
Select ‘No’ for – has the person been asked to get a follow-up test?
Select ‘None of the above’ for – is the person who needs a test part of a trial or government pilot project

For the question ‘Why are you asking for the test?’
I’ve been in contact with someone who’s tested positive for coronavirus.”

worriedatthemoment · 22/10/2021 11:14

@littlestmunchkin we had one phone call and that was it , I did only give a mobile

worriedatthemoment · 22/10/2021 11:16

@Hopeisallineed you can get a pcr as she has a positive lateral flow test then if pcr is positive close contacts can have a pcr

littlestmunchkin · 22/10/2021 14:26

@pommedeterre no I gave a mobile only

AbstractEim · 22/10/2021 14:30

Dc just tested positive on LFT this morning, we do them few times a week as it’s rife in his class. He has the same blocked nose / sniff that everyone else in his class has, today his eyes are watering. I can imagine most of them also have Covid but aren’t doing LFTs so no one knows, none of the kids who’ve tested positive have any of the traditional symptoms for a PCR. They really need to update symptoms and start sending kids with cold type things home.

pommedeterre · 22/10/2021 14:37

[quote littlestmunchkin]@pommedeterre no I gave a mobile only [/quote]
Thanks for answering. There seems to be no rhyme or reason to who gets the daily harassment and who gets just one call.

ilovechocolate07 · 22/10/2021 17:42

Yes! Lots of ill, snotty and coughing children in because they don't have covid. Head put a message in newsletter to say still keep home if unwell. I work in primary and so many children tell me parents gave them calpol before school.

Mamaof2males · 22/10/2021 17:43

Our primary school has come down with several cases this week. The head does not accept a positive LFT as she says you shouldn’t do them as under 11 and not accurate as covid she will only accept a PCR - however lots of the children had either no symptoms or just a cold, so if the parents hadn’t have done the LFT then the PCR to the symptomatic child then all the other parents would be none the wiser! They did do LFT’s which were positive and have followed with PCR which are also positive but that was only because they were being proactive and sensible. I am so confused - someone please explain or am
I being an idiot. 😵‍💫

Repecka · 22/10/2021 17:46

If they have symptoms then it’s a PCR. I’d also do a PCR for close contact.

But, no symptoms or close contact then no PCR. Lateral flows done twice weekly.

JKDinomum · 22/10/2021 17:47

Yes someone told me on email today they had a raging cough and temperature but that it was "just a bug" because they'd had several negative LFTs.

Also a woman in the post office talking loudly about how she and all her kids have a horrible cold. No mention of a negative PCR. Also not wearing a mask....😡 Even if it is a cold, nobody else wants it!

Moulesvinrouge1 · 22/10/2021 18:05

@Dancerinthedark01

So when the school emails to say that the whole class needs to be PCR'd because they are close contacts of 1 person in that class who has Covid ... are we meant to take them down to the PCR testing centre (where all the people who have Covid are) and get them infected?
Um yes - that’s literally what they are instructing you to do? You stay in your own car, you aren’t all hugging each other.

I’m baffled as to how that isn’t a clear instruction

Imnothereforthedrama · 22/10/2021 18:23

Yes they seem to know they haven’t got Covid despite never had it previously so not sure how they have this power . Reluctance to get a pcr assuming due to the isolation but a lot of people aren’t well anyway so aren’t really up to going anywhere, makes no sense to me.

Clusterfckintolerant · 22/10/2021 18:34

@Marelle

Loads of symptoms don’t qualify you for a PCR. Plus it’s a right hassle to go and get one, you need a car and it takes up an hour of your time.
You can send for a test kit. Arrived next day. Results come via email the day after we returned ours.

We've got loads of people with "headache & feeling crap" testing positive on PCR. The Gov are the last people accepting that the symptom list needs to be broadened.

ilovemygirls · 22/10/2021 18:54

@Bamaluz

My symptoms were a headache and feeling like crap, LFT was negative, PCR positive, so I think there are a lot of people going round thinking they have a cold and spreading covid.
Exactly the same for my whole family & I. We all had headaches & felt rubbish. Just wanted to sleep. All lateral flows were negative, then PCR’s came back positive. I was the only one who tested positive on lateral flow a day later. Felt rubbish for a couple of days, but we’re all fine. People have become so scared, but for most people, it will be nothing & the 10 days isolation will the worst bit! That’s enough to drive anyone insane! I’ve never been so happy to walk the dogs again!
hedgehogger1 · 22/10/2021 18:55

The government should update the list of main symptoms as they no reflect what's being seen

Hadsuchahardday · 22/10/2021 19:01

Myself and my 2 DC all have covid. My symptoms were a headache and feeling crap ( it felt like a permanent hangover). I used a lateral flow on the first 2 days of feeling ill- both negative, but positive on day 5. I think it takes a while to show up on them. Kids felt tired with cold symptoms - both had positive lateral flows. My conclusion is they do work well but if you have symptoms you should keep testing daily as it’s takes a few days to show up as positive.

caspersmagicaljourney · 22/10/2021 19:32

@Toottooot

My local NHS trust is telling people NOT to take PCR tests for ‘wider symptoms’ ie headaches and common cold symptoms as it’s cold season. I’ll take their advice over someone on here.
Be cautious with this approach : it's best to have some LFT tests in you house as my dose of covid started with bog standard common cold symptoms for the first couple of days. it was only after then that I did a LFT to make absolutely sure. The two lines (positive result) showed up within 10 seconds. After those two days I had a number of close contacts and a mad scramble to notify those contacts to test themselves. Be warned!
caspersmagicaljourney · 22/10/2021 19:34

@hedgehogger1

The government should update the list of main symptoms as they no reflect what's being seen
You're correct, they don't. I had common cold symptoms a couple of days before losing sense of taste and smell. A perfect opportunity to spread covid without even knowing it. That's why this variant is spreading so rapidly.
Tigger1895 · 22/10/2021 19:43

@Marelle

You can order one online from the same site you book the drive through ones So I have to isolate for 24h until the test arrives. Assuming the postman can fit it through the letter box. Then I have to trail all the way to the postbox. Then wait another 2-3 days for a result, and probably have to isolate during that time too. It’s just not feasible. I have LFTs in the cupboard and can use them and get a result right now.
And now the high numbers make sense. Heaven forbid you are put out
FancySomeChips · 22/10/2021 20:43

4 days of negative lfts then a positive straight after the fourth negative, same day, I wasn’t convinced by all the negatives.
Got a pcr and it was positive.
Don’t trust the lfts!

FancySomeChips · 22/10/2021 20:44

Also had common cold symptoms at the onset.

NauseousNancy · 22/10/2021 20:47

We’ve just had covid run right through my immediate and extended family. Because one tested positive, which then slowly worked its way through the rest, we were all taking daily lateral flows. Every single case (11) was picked up by a LFT before symptoms started, and then followed up by a positive PCR. I don’t think they are anywhere near as unreliable as made out.