One has Covid, not sure what rest should be doing?

[FrancaFurter]

DC has tested positive. The rest of us are negative so far. He is at secondary school.

On the NHS website it says send off for a PCR home test, but then it offers a drive-through test site nearby.

DH, I, and other DC are so far negative. So do we go to school and work?

Also, with the new variant are things changing fast?

At the moment the Govt guidance is that everyone else in the household should get a PCR test, but under 18's and double jabbed adults don't need to isolate (bloody stupid, but that's the guidance. It's being changed if the positive person has or could conceivably have the omicron variety.

However, personally we'd all isolate because the guidelines are fucking ridiculous.

Some schools & workplaces are asking or in the case of schools hinting that staying home is preferable (they're just not supposed to say that 🤨)

As a typical teen, staying in their bedroom & having meals/drinks delivered is more of a dream than a punishment & reduces risk of you all coming down with it. Wipe the seat/flush of the toilet & taps if there's not a separate bathroom the positive can use. Obviously make sure their dishes are washed thoroughly & not shared etc

Just glad it is not the Royal "One" posting!

Legally the only requirement is for the person who has tested positive to isolate.

You are advised to (but aren’t legally required to) get PCR tests. You can send off for a postal test or visit a test centre.

You aren’t legally required to or officially advised to isolate unless you get a positive result. Though obviously, if you can, it reduces the risk to others. And the more you can isolate the positive person(s) within the home from others the better.

When we had this situation, everyone in the household isolated until we had PCR results. Those who tested negative didn’t isolate but took daily LFTs and kept to essential activity. We did our best to isolate the positive people in the household but it wasn’t practical to stay in one room for 10 days so we used a mix of ventilation, social distancing, masks etc. The people who were initially negative never caught it.

Sorry forgot to add the above assumes everyone is either double jabbed or under 18.

You are also advised to avoid social activities.

You will need to contact your place of work as they will have their own policies.

You are not required to isolate if double vaccinated or under 16. Contacts are advised to pcr test.

The Government guidance, which everyone including schools and workplaces should be following, is for you all to have a PCR test. Anyone who is negative can go back to school/work
www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-and-treatment/when-to-self-isolate-and-what-to-do/