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Original poster

Do you/would you still self-isolate while awaiting PCR results as positive household contact?

51 replies

RaisinFlapjack · 05/11/2021 10:30

A bit of an AIBU/settle an argument.

If one of your household tested positive for covid, would you self isolate while awaiting a PCR result if you had no symptoms?

Or go about you business as normal?

Or restrict yourself to essential activities?

Legally it’s not required.

OP posts:
KylieKoKo · 05/11/2021 14:10

I mostly work from home. If it happened when I was meant to be going in the office I would inform my team and people I was going to be in contact with and stay at home unless I was made to go in (I don't think I would be).

If we needed food I would probably nip to the supermarket (in a mask, staying away from people, no chatting to anyone etc.) and buy enough stuff that will keep in case we both needed to isolate. This would only be if we had no food in and I couldn't get a delivery slot.

I would cancel any social engagements and the gym. I might go for a walk in the park, staying away from people and not stopping for coffee etc.

Original poster
RaisinFlapjack · 05/11/2021 17:01

Well it seems like most people would try to limit contact with others while waiting for a test result if someone else in their household was positive. Which is what I would do. Had a bit of a disagreement with a friend over this!

Amazed at anyone who wouldn’t even bother to get a test if one of their family was positive. Asymptomatic transmission not mean anything to you?

In my experience, it’s rare for only one person in a house to get covid. It just seems incredibly complacent to not even bother with LFTs at the very least.

OP posts:
MabelMoo23 · 05/11/2021 18:03

I’m shocked at those not getting PCR’s in the cases of someone in their household being positive.

Household transmission is one of the highest, and just because you have no symptoms, means sweet FA. Does asymptomatic mean nothing?????

Wandamakesporridge · 05/11/2021 18:09

Not isolating no, but we’ll limit social contact.

DH has a positive LFT and is waiting for PCR.
We are still going to work (double vaxxed) and school and doing regular LFTs.

I am not going for a PCR, as I only had one a few days ago, but I will keep doing LFTs.

However I’ve cancelled a couple of social engagements, and will keep my outings to essential activity.

Fallagain · 05/11/2021 18:15

Government encourages you do a a PCR a few days later. They also encourage essential activities only.

Fallagain · 05/11/2021 18:16

I would be wary of relaying on LFT. I know people who have had a positive PCR and its taken until day 5 for the LFT to be positive.

PurpleDaisies · 05/11/2021 18:22

I didn’t isolate while I felt well. My initial contact pcr was negative. I was much more careful abs selective about where I went and I warned people about what the situation was at home. Lft every day. I did test positive later and didn’t have any close contacts to inform.

PurpleDaisies · 05/11/2021 18:27

@Fallagain

Government encourages you do a a PCR a few days later. They also encourage essential activities only.
It says to get a pcr as soon as possible:

www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-for-contacts-of-people-with-possible-or-confirmed-coronavirus-covid-19-infection-who-do-not-live-with-the-person/guidance-for-contacts-of-people-with-possible-or-confirmed-coronavirus-covid-19-infection-who-do-not-live-with-the-person#exempt

NHS Test and Trace will contact you to let you know that you have been identified as a contact and check whether you are legally required to self-isolate. If you are not legally required to self-isolate you will be provided with advice on testing and given guidance on preventing the spread of COVID-19. Even if you do not have symptoms, you will be advised to have a PCR test as soon as possible. Children aged 4 and under will not be advised to take a test unless the positive case was someone in their own household.

NiceViper · 05/11/2021 19:02

I would reduce my contact with the outside world to the essential minimum, and wouid wear a mask and SD wherever possible.

It's only for 48 hrs or so. If negative, then it wasn't so long. If positive, then definitely worth it

Wellbythebloodyhell · 05/11/2021 19:43

I wouldn't isolate whilst waiting for close contact PCR results nor would I due to their being a positive case within my home but I would be limiting what outside contacts I did make to only those that were necessary

Willyoujustbequiet · 05/11/2021 19:45

We did even though the others tested negative - just as well too as we all turned positive in the end.

Sallydimebar · 05/11/2021 22:31

seb342
“Why would you take a pcr test with no symptoms? One of the questions is do you have any symptoms so you've basically lied to get a test. This is why it's never going to end, people testing for no reason.”

Advice for a long time has been close contact get a pcr , don’t need symptoms but yeah let’s all stop testing spread it around a bit faster , fill hospital beds a bit quicker then see where we are at Christmas.

UKmumtobe · 05/11/2021 22:39

I don't understand how so many of you think it's ok to carry on going about daily activities whilst a member of your household has tested positive?? Do you not even consider other people you may be breathing over when you go to the shops or work? These people may be vulnerable ... Pregnant...

OP if my husband or child tested positive I would 100% isolate and get myself tested with a PCR and do lat flows in the meanwhile.

Heartdogs · 05/11/2021 22:40

I'd go about my business as normal.

KatyMac · 05/11/2021 22:49

We were told to follow this by test and trace
And told off for not isolating by paramedics (although everyone minimised all unnecessary trips out and were supercareful about space, face coverings and antibac)

This is why it is rife! No one has a clue and get told different things by different organisations

Do you/would you still self-isolate while awaiting PCR results as positive household contact?
PurpleDaisies · 05/11/2021 23:00

OP if my husband or child tested positive I would 100% isolate and get myself tested with a PCR and do lat flows in the meanwhile.

If you’re isolating and doing a pcr, what’s the point in doing lateral flows as well? You’re also in a fortunate position if your whole household can just isolate for one positive. Many people’s employers make that impossible.

RuleWithAWoodenFoot · 05/11/2021 23:19

@UKmumtobe

I don't understand how so many of you think it's ok to carry on going about daily activities whilst a member of your household has tested positive?? Do you not even consider other people you may be breathing over when you go to the shops or work? These people may be vulnerable ... Pregnant...

OP if my husband or child tested positive I would 100% isolate and get myself tested with a PCR and do lat flows in the meanwhile.

Some of us had to keep going to work.

I was masked for all adult contacts apart from one. But unmasked around a whole class full of children. Some of whom sat on my lap, lots of whom I worked face to face closely with. There was nothing I could do about it.

RuleWithAWoodenFoot · 05/11/2021 23:21

get myself tested with a PCR and do lat flows in the meanwhile

I also did that - first PCR was negative. Three days worth of twice a day negative LFTs before a positive yesterday morning. I'd already ordered a postal PCR, which I'd have done yesterday anyway, but wanted a quick result so went for a drive through PCR.

KylieKoKo · 05/11/2021 23:25

@UKmumtobe

I don't understand how so many of you think it's ok to carry on going about daily activities whilst a member of your household has tested positive?? Do you not even consider other people you may be breathing over when you go to the shops or work? These people may be vulnerable ... Pregnant...

OP if my husband or child tested positive I would 100% isolate and get myself tested with a PCR and do lat flows in the meanwhile.

@UKmumtobe official government advice is that vaccinated people don't need to isolate. These posters are only following that.

You might be in the privileged position of being able to isolate when the government says you don't have to and still having enough money to feed your family but not everyone is. Some people cannot work from home and do not get paid if they don't go to work.

Iloveallofthem · 05/11/2021 23:28

@seb342

Why would you take a pcr test with no symptoms? One of the questions is do you have any symptoms so you've basically lied to get a test. This is why it's never going to end, people testing for no reason.
What ?
Iloveallofthem · 05/11/2021 23:30

@zombiedog21

I didn't test myself at all when my partner tested positive a few weeks ago. I had no symptoms and felt fine, and carried on as normal.
Totally irresponsible.

You could be asymptomatic.

Have you not read anything at all about the spread of Coronavirus or watched any news since March 2020?

🙄

Sallydimebar · 05/11/2021 23:41

zombiedog21
I didn't test myself at all when my partner tested positive a few weeks ago. I had no symptoms and felt fine, and carried on as normal.

Seriously!! My husband tested positive last week . I tested pos next day ,I felt fine could of carried on and not bothered with test , but I’m not that selfish just because you were fine the next person who you potentially pass it on to might not be lucky . Someone said Spain had 15 deaths yesterday, we had 200+ And with the comments on here I’m not surprised .

Wandamakesporridge · 06/11/2021 10:03

DH has now tested positive on PCR after a positive LFT.

NHS has advised I don’t need to isolate but to get a PCR, so taking myself and DCs off for one today.

I have contacted work who have advised me not to isolate but to do an LFT every morning before going into work.

DH was asymptomatic, his LFT just had a very faint line, so I am impressed with the accuracy. Someone is his office has it as well so he may have got it from there.

If I could WFH I would, but it’s not possible with my job - unless everyone is OK with all the schools closing again and back to home-schooling?? No, I didn’t think so….

Original poster
RaisinFlapjack · 06/11/2021 10:13

Yes beyond the the initial PCR test we’ve been doing daily LFTs for the household members who tested negative on the PCR, and they’ve been going about their normal business (and we’re doing our best to keep them away from those who tested positive at home).

OP posts:
Wellbythebloodyhell · 06/11/2021 10:18

@UKmumtobe

I don't understand how so many of you think it's ok to carry on going about daily activities whilst a member of your household has tested positive?? Do you not even consider other people you may be breathing over when you go to the shops or work? These people may be vulnerable ... Pregnant...

OP if my husband or child tested positive I would 100% isolate and get myself tested with a PCR and do lat flows in the meanwhile.

Because its my family member who's positive and not me! If I've tested negative then who I "breathe over" is just the same as any other day. I'm double vaccinated I can't wfh my job requires me to be in work unless I'm ill myself, I don't have tons of money in the bank to enable me to take 10 days unpaid every time someone in my family is ill, nor do I think my employer would be sympathetic to me taking so much time off. I very much doubt my situation is unique, and for people not to recognise this is either said out of arrogance or privilege or possibly both.