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

1 2 3

Original poster

Harassment from track and trace

72 replies

VsgKitt · 17/11/2021 12:00

OK that might be a bit OTT but that's how it feels. We had 5 positive test results back last night/this morning and because its my own test and 4 children all tests have my contact details.

I've had 6 call from track and trace. 4 texts and 5 emails. 3 voicemail messages.

The phone calls all came from 8am, I've been really sick all night and was trying to get to some sleep (DP been tagged in at 7 30am) but they're calling and no one is even there when I answer, just my own voice echoing.

Woman rang again and wanted to go through contacts, and said it was take 30 mins for each questionnaire.. . For 5 people.

I said I didn't feel well enough and she said she would call back afternoon. But since then I've had another 2 calls from them.

Kids have been at school and home. That's its. No visits, no school friend visits or family. We've been keeping to ourselves since numbers risen so I've really not got any names to give them, which I said on one call but they said they have to go through the whole questionnaire.

I just want to sleep.

Am I obliged to do this. Can I ignore them? I feel too ill to do it

OP posts:

Skysblue · 17/11/2021 23:30

Honestly it sounds like you should block them or at least turn off phone when resting. You need rest to recover!! And the system is clearly a disaster.

exexpat · 17/11/2021 23:41

I filled in the online form then ignored all phone calls (double calls because DP & I were both positive and were each other's contact) not always on purpose, but there is no phone signal in most of the house, and you can't call them back when you have a signal because it's an outgoing-only number.

Eventually they emailed me threatening to send someone round to 'check if I needed support isolating', but at least that meant I could reply and say yes, I was isolating, didn't need any support, and there was no point in sending anyone to my house as I was 200 miles away at my DP's house, which was where I had been since before testing positive, but the stupid forms don't actually ask if you are at home or away...

I heard nothing more from them after that.

RaisinFlapjack · 17/11/2021 23:42

I had to go through a 90 minute T&T call for DS (unfortunately we had been to 2 parties in the preceding 48 hours so had a LOT of close contacts.

When they wanted to go through the same process for me I pretended I had no contact details for anyone - it was literally all the same people who I had already listed for DS and we’d already contacted them all personally anyway.

Djifunrsn · 17/11/2021 23:57

We had this. Dd positive, T&T spent ages wanting me to agree to inform dh (her dad who lives here) that he needs to get a PCR. I had told them at the start of the phone call that he tested positive on the same day as her and was already isolating. They couldn’t cross reference the details so I got 5 more emails. They went through a load more details telling me that my ds needed a test. I had already told them that we had literally just got back from a PCR drive through for him but they are forced to keep on and on and on. Lunacy.

OliveTree75 · 18/11/2021 01:49

Its so annoying. Block them!

flashbac · 18/11/2021 03:03

For those that blocked or ignored the calls, did someone from the local authority then come out to visit?

Suzi888 · 18/11/2021 05:06

@flashbac

For those that blocked or ignored the calls, did someone from the local authority then come out to visit?

Depends on resources.

SilverThread · 18/11/2021 05:45

Block their phone number

It works wonders.
If you do answer, you’re not legally obliged to tell them anything.
As long as you are isolating as instructed, and confirm you are isolating, that’s all that’s required.

Block. And ignore

Sofia82 · 18/11/2021 05:46

I filled in the online form as soon as DD tested positive in September. Rest of household tested negative and she had also been at a large event. Didn't get a single phonecall just some texts and emails.

I've now tested positive myself so waiting to see if it's any different for me as an adult. I wfh and won't always be able to answer if they phone. Told them we don't have a landline so it's easier to manage with just mobile.

Riverrushing21 · 18/11/2021 06:20

When I had covid and they were constantly ringing me to remind me not to leave the house, after about 4 of these calls I told them that I wouldn’t be leaving the house as I felt too ill anyway, then I blocked the number. Never heard from them again!

Tabbacus · 18/11/2021 06:27

It's a ridiculous and ineffective system, the fact it can't do basic stuff like link cases within a household, allow for children's contracts to be filled in online is ridiculous. What a waste of time and money, and you're right, the last thing you need when poorly is numerous pointless calls. I agree with blocking them, hope you're feeling better soon.

TreaslakeandBack · 18/11/2021 06:51

After the first day I refused to let them read the script. I just picked up and said yes we are self isolating, I find it rude that you are insinuating that we aren’t, bye. Perfectly polite but very firm. I object to being read scripts.
Now I would just block the number and turn my phone off if unwell/ sleeping. Never admit to having a landline if you do.

ScotsMumOf4 · 18/11/2021 06:56

I gave my contact details for all my household positive tests and was harassed by them too.

The first call I had, the lady didn't even ask who I was and started a phone call with me for my 17 year old daughter who is very capable of doing the call herself. She wouldn't take a second to pause from the script she was reading from I shouted on my daughter and very loudly exclaimed that someone was on the phone for her and she wasn't doing her job properly and possibly giving out sensitive information.

They got blocked after that call

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 18/11/2021 06:57

I got Covid just before Christmas last year and they rang multiple times on Christmas Day - I ignored them, because I’d already spoken to them once about my case and given them all the necessary contacts for me and my DC who I’d caught it off - I’d been isolating since he caught it anyway so had no new contacts to add! I think when I did answer the phone finally I was so furious at their complete inability to apply any common sense to the situation, to link the cases on their database, or to know their own rules (they told me that because they were unable to link the family cases, DH’s isolation had to restart when I tested positive even though he was negative, so his isolation period ran from DC’s positive test, not mine four days later. Even when I read them the isolation rules off the government website, they told me I was wrong) that I told them I did not want to speak to them again under any circumstances and they were to stop calling me. And they did…

YesNoWhoCares · 18/11/2021 07:05

I won't do PCR for this reason, I'm retired and can tell my few contacts myself

ColinTheKoala · 18/11/2021 09:30

@ChardonnaysPetDragon

They wouldn’t have needed to call you many times if you’d answered the phone.

They are only doing their job.

That isn't the case, I've known families of four where they've phoned four times. It doesn't matter whether you answer the phone or not.

And if you are ill with covid why would you want to get out of bed to answer the phone (we don't all have mobiles, and we don't all have mobiles in our bedrooms and even if you do have a phone next to the bed you don't want to be interrupted if you are sleeping).

And if you are well you'll probably do odd jobs around the house to pass the time and not want to be interrupted every five minutes. I'd ignore the calls. So what if they send the police round - I'd be here.

FindingMeno · 18/11/2021 09:53

My dd has been rung several times at school to tell her she's a close contact.
When she was out of school and answered they asked to speak to her parent or guardian.
So they knew she was a child but still rang several times in the school day.
She gave my number. They haven't rung me but have rung her again.
I have told her to block the number.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 18/11/2021 11:03

I had to go through a 90 minute T&T call for DS (unfortunately we had been to 2 parties in the preceding 48 hours so had a LOT of close contacts

I went to a funeral yesterday and I have no idea who most of the people were! Do you just tell them that and they then shut up or do they expect you to have details? I wouldn't even have a phone number for the family as we use messenger!

Silverswirl · 18/11/2021 18:27

I’ve said it once and I will say it again. Don’t do a PCR Don’t do a PCR!!
Lateral flow is positive isolate for 10 days. That’s it.

Sweetpeasaremadeforbees · 18/11/2021 19:01

I’ve said it once and I will say it again. Don’t do a PCR Don’t do a PCR!!
Lateral flow is positive isolate for 10 days. That’s it.

I completely agree.

thewhatsit · 18/11/2021 19:28

@flashbac

For those that blocked or ignored the calls, did someone from the local authority then come out to visit?

What happens if this happens and you don’t open your door?

I’m kind of paranoid about this happening to me one day. I wouldn’t know if someone was at the front door if I was in the kitchen or garden, and as it goes I’m in both a huge portion of the day…

Comefromaway · 18/11/2021 19:54

@ScotsMumOf4

I gave my contact details for all my household positive tests and was harassed by them too.

They got blocked after that call

They phoned my 17 year old Ds then said they weren’t allowed to speak to him, it had to be a parent.

Which is funny as when dd was 17 she was living away from home at college.

middleager · 18/11/2021 20:01

They harrassed me when I was very ill with Covid, when my son was ill with it too.
When I told them I was too ill to talk, the absolute arsehole caller threatened to contact the LA if I didn't comply. The call took 20 minutes.

Last winter relentless calls also for all four of us when DS1 had Covid.

Kevinishot · 18/11/2021 20:35

Now you don’t need to isolate if you are a close contact, what is the point of t&t now? Is it just to recommend you get a test if you’ve been near someone who’s done a positive PCR?? I still don’t have any close friends/family/contacts who have had it so not sure how it works (& also generally avoid covid news except occasionally for popping on here)

Geminijust · 18/11/2021 20:58

flashbac
For those that blocked or ignored the calls, did someone from the local authority then come out to visit?

Yes. When my teens tested positive late summer they called a number of times. I was really busy working & didn't have time for what I knew was likely to be a long call. On day 3 I think they turned up at the door. I was at work and DH didn't engage with them, telling them I was dealing with it . They asked if I could go online. I sent them a brief email saying the DC were isolating and knew they had to until X date. I had an email back thanking me and never heard from them again. I thought they'd scaled right back now as someone I know whose DC tested positive very recently had just one text (which they ignored) and nothing else.

Flip

1 2 3

Swipe left for the next trending thread