Omicron New Variant Thread 2 *title edited by MNHQ at OP's request*

[Thewiseoneincognito]

Continuation of the last thread

@the80sweregreat

I was flamed on another thread for suggesting that the isolation period could be dropped from ten days to five, but I remember when it was 14 at the start in 2020 and is now 10! I Was told that 10 days is needed, which does cause its own problems Are more people ending up in hospital with this new variant or will we not know for another few weeks?

There was a scientist on the news last night saying they needed at least 250 hospitalisations to start to get an idea of severity. Thats sequenced hospitalisations. And that it would probably be a couple of weeks to understand. It was likely to be the first week in January.

I get the impression that they really are sequencing many cases at all. Not when i know of busloads of people getting it at the same time, and only one of them being told 6 days later its omicron.

Its also interesting to see what omicron hospitalisations for children are like given symptoms of kids at DS's school.

@the80sweregreat

I was flamed on another thread for suggesting that the isolation period could be dropped from ten days to five, but I remember when it was 14 at the start in 2020 and is now 10! I Was told that 10 days is needed, which does cause its own problems Are more people ending up in hospital with this new variant or will we not know for another few weeks?

5 days definitely will be too short. The average time from contact to showing symptoms for Delta is apparently 6 days. So there has to be a little more than that if thats the average.

@Thewiseoneincognito

Currently awaiting PCR results from a faint positive LFT. I had Covid in September so it’s just over 3 months. Hopefully it’s a false positive LFT but who knows (Christmas dinner in the bedroom anyone, ho ho ho 😑)

I had a thought this evening about the booster program and the level of protection against Omicron. From a quick google, the program began mid September so that means many of those boosted right at the start are now approaching 3 months, do we have any data yet on how long the boosted immunity is effective for?

My main reason to ask is because they halved the time limit between second and third dose to 3 months in the face of Omicron does this have any effect on longevity of immunity for 3rd dose?

I don't know if you'll find this reassuring but DH tested faintly positive on LFT for about two months after we had covid in September.

Hope your PCR is negative

It was isolation for contacts that was initially 14 days. But there's no isolation at all for contacts now - just advice to do daily PCRs. The isolation period for people with symptoms (who weren't at that point being tested for the most part) was initially only 7 days. It was increased to 10 days as evidence on infectious period emerged and also for simplicity to have the same time period as contacts. But I do wonder with most people having milder infections due to immunisation and availability of LFTs whether LFTs could be used on, say, day 6 and 7 and people could be released from isolation on day 7 if symptom free and negative.

It was very clear early on that LFT had a really high rate of false negatives. I'm wondering where the sudden confidence in them has come from? I hope it's not just wishful thinking and people having gotten used to the sense of reassurance they give them.

The 5 days figure seems to have been plucked from the air but maybe it also aligns with not having to bother your GP as you can self certify.

Worth remembering people who are sick with covid but don't have decent employment rights shouldn't be rushed back to work in 5 day. Yes some people are asymptomatic (most of whom won't even go off work because they won't know they're infected) but many people do get ill and should be allowed enough time to not be infectious and to have half a chance of recovery.

My so ,in his 20s ,works in primary school in Newham .Autistic children and lots of close physical contact .

He was off work earlier this week ,coughing .Negative LFTs .PCR posted Monday ,still no result .

I've started feeling ill yesterday ,runny nose ,scratchy dry throat ,sneezing.Negative LFTs .

What are the chances it's a cold ? I'm boosted ,strong immune system .

@Firefliess

It was isolation for contacts that was initially 14 days. But there's no isolation at all for contacts now - just advice to do daily PCRs. The isolation period for people with symptoms (who weren't at that point being tested for the most part) was initially only 7 days. It was increased to 10 days as evidence on infectious period emerged and also for simplicity to have the same time period as contacts. But I do wonder with most people having milder infections due to immunisation and availability of LFTs whether LFTs could be used on, say, day 6 and 7 and people could be released from isolation on day 7 if symptom free and negative.

Government's clearly reading my MN posts!! www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-59749447