How do you know which varient?

[happytoday73]

Say a contact is covid positive.. If its normal covid the double vaccinated take a test but don't need to isolate... But if its the new varient close contacts need to isolate for 10 days...
.. So daft question... How do they know... Are all positive cases checked for new type? Would result come through at the same time as positive PCR or later?

They would need to analyse the samples to find out a particular variant so there would probably be a longer delay between positive PCR and finding out what variant it is

www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-59460252 definitely a delay while analysing samples

Cheers... Looks like we will just have to wait and see 🤞

Half to a third of labs have the ability to tell straight away if a positive result includes S gene drop out - one of the three genetic traces they test for.

If it does, it becomes a suspected omicron case (although previous variants, not delta) have this drop out too) and you’re informed and your contacts are traced v carefully made to isolate.

Meanwhile they go on to sequence (which I think they can do in 48 hrs now iirc) and will then be able to confirm if it’s omicron.

So I assume it’s possible that contacts could be told to isolate for ten days but then released early if it turns out not to be omicron. Depending on how widespread it is in the UK already of course!

I wouldn’t be isolating for anything “suspected” sorry but what an ask of people on the off chance it might be omicron. No wonder everyone is blocking the track and trace number and email address!

It’s a very strong suspicion and is the new rule - you don’t have a choice.

@JanglyBeads if that was in response to me, We do have a choice no one can force anyone to have a PCR test and no one can force anyone to respond to T&T! 10 days of no work unpaid is not possible for the majority of people hence why people just won’t do it.

@JanglyBeads

It’s a very strong suspicion and is the new rule - you don’t have a choice.

Of course you have a choice. Making that choice would be against the law but many will choose to anyway, just as many people break other laws of varying severity each day. Nobody is going to be physically stopping you going out