FFS I’ve got suspected omicron

[PatientZerooo]

Although nobody has actually told me personally - I only know because my contacts (including DH and DC) have been contacted by T&T and told.

Took test on Tuesday, positive result on Wednesday, T&T follow up today.

I have ruined a lot of people’s plans

@Melliphant

"It's widespread, partly, because so many people didn't wear masks. Think about that."

Considering that there's no conclusive evidence whether masks work or not (it seems that they should in theory, but can be counter-productive in the real world), I'm very impressed that you've worked out a cause and effect between lack of masking and the spread of the latest variant. Perhaps you should supply your evidence?

There’s plenty of evidence masks reduce transmission. There was a major paper out recently. Let me know if you want the link.

www.bmj.com/content/375/bmj-2021-068302

How are you doing @PatientZerooo

[quote Egghead68]www.bmj.com/content/375/bmj-2021-068302[/quote]
Yes, that study was mentioned earlier. it doesn't show that mask wearing reduces transmission, nor does it claim to. The Guardian claimed it said that, because they chose to misinterpret it. I believe they've issued a correction.

fullfact.org/health/mask-wearing-study-edinburgh-guardian/

There are load, and loads of studies showing that masks really do work.

I think we should be beyond the point of querying this now!

But with the new variant it really helps to have FFP2 masks, wear them a few times and it works out at less than £1 a go. You don’t need them for shops, relatively low risk. But packed trains it will save you getting Covid, save you from passing it on to others, save you from cancelling your Christmas plans.

Well worth thinking about!

The bmj study above is a meta-analysis of all the studies (well, all the ones that they could get meaningful data from). It shows a correlation between mask wearing and reduced cases. It doesn't show (nor does it claim to) that masks work.

@Booklover3

How are you doing *@PatientZerooo*

I’m on the mend - thanks for asking!

@Melliphant

The bmj study above is a meta-analysis of all the studies (well, all the ones that they could get meaningful data from). It shows a correlation between mask wearing and reduced cases. It doesn't show (nor does it claim to) that masks work.

That’s because to show causation would be to set up an unethical RCT where some people are deliberately exposed to Covid with or without masks.

There is never going to be RCT evidence to this level and it’s not appropriate. Evidence, however is overwhelming. Evidence that comes from many different sources, which as not ‘tightly controlled’ but are huge in number. That includes mass observational studies, which have validity.

The correlation is very strong. So strong that to not recommend masks would be unethical because the weight of that correlation cannot be ignored.

The risk however of Covid is huge. And masks have no harm. So the weight of evidence for masks is as strong as any RCT, it’s just that people get siloed into evidence that isn’t always appropriate. RCTs are vital for vaccinations and drugs, as the BMJ is set up to analyse and peer review. It is totally inappropriate and unworkable for many, many other medical interventions such as masks.

But that doesn’t mean we give up and ignore them. Would you be comfortable having an operation with a surgeon without a mask? Exactly the same principal here.

I’m glad you are feeling better. I hope nobody else caught it.

Hope you're okay OP. Horrible to get ill in the run up to Christmas but hopefully you'll have recovered by 25th.

Hope you are ok.
You are not to blame. Don't be too hard on yourself.
It is a virus...it does its thing.
Have a nice Christmas 🎄

Are negative LFTs and positive pcrs common?

@Happy1982ish

Are negative LFTs and positive pcrs common?

Happened to me and DS.

Very, @Happy1982ish

DH and I both got positive LFTs before our PCRs. Although fairly faint positives.

BTW I finally got a text confirming that I was suspected omicron, 6 days after my initial positive result.

DH was also (unsurprisingly) flagged as suspected omicron when he tested positive a few days later, and I was called as his contact 48 hours after his initial positive result. So the flagging was within the same timeframe, but he also received his personal notification that he was suspected omicron at about the same time. Older DC has tested positive but entirely asymptomatic. No additional omicron flagging (so far).

We’re all on the mend. End update!

Thanks
Negative lft
But I’d be surprised if negative
Waiting pcr

The problem lies in that people on the trains who are not wearing masks until new announcement (the other day) are passing the virus to others.

My daughter took me few weeks ago to the cinema for my birthday to see the Gucci film and we literally were the only 2 wearing a mask which we put on just before we opened the door and walked in. Saw 2 older ladies and that was about it.

Only dropped it under our chins to drink small water + few revels chocolates, but still felt that we had done the right thing.

@PatientZerooo

I’m the northwest, but suspect I picked it up on Friday when I caught the train down to London (for a serious reason, not a jolly, before anyone comes at me). Either I’ve been terribly unlucky or it’s already everywhere. Train was very busy due to Storm Arwen etc and not many masks being worn.

It's pretty much in most places already and spreading fast.

I’ve got it too! I’m supply and only did one day last week and managed to pick it up. I got a positive lateral flow, whole family went for PCR. I came back positive them negative. I then got a text to say my result was negative. Did another lateral flow which was positive so rang 119 to clarify. They said my result was negative and there’s sometimes a glitch. I didn’t believe it as been feeling unwell so booked a second PCR. Came back positive. Worries me they said the glitch was in favour of the negative test. I’m also triple jabbed, Pfizer. 😞

A few questions if you don't mind @PatientZerooo

• have you been confirmed (or not) as having omicron?
• what was the additional test you had to take / how did it work?
• what was the turnaround on you being confirmed or given the all clear for omicron?

Thanks if you are able to answer

@Crunchymum

A few questions if you don't mind *@PatientZerooo*

• have you been confirmed (or not) as having omicron?
• what was the additional test you had to take / how did it work?
• what was the turnaround on you being confirmed or given the all clear for omicron?

Thanks if you are able to answer

I have not had definite confirmation one way or another (which I presume would require genetic sequencing). I received a text saying I have suspected omicron (which I presume is based on the s gene drop out on my PCR test).

I went to a regular drive through testing centre - I presume I was given by chance one of the type of tests that can pick up the s gene drop out. My contacts were sent PCR tests by post that were the right type of test. They look and function like a normal PCR test though. DH tested positive and has also been sent a text saying he has suspected omicron, and his contacts (us) have also been informed.

For both of us, the messages re suspected omicron came about 48 hours after the initial positive result.

I have no idea whether our samples will be fully sequenced or if we’ll ever have confirmation ourselves one way or another.

Many thanks for answering @PatientZerooo

Wishing you well

It’s not a different test, just different lab equipment for processing it.

Went to drive through Friday
Still no test result
Rang 119
They asked for code
But the test site didn’t give me one?!

119 said perhaps I didn’t take it out of the test bag when I dropped in the box
119 couldn’t confirm that I’d get result

Anyone been as stupid as me and still got result?

@Happy1982ish

I don’t see why you wouldn’t get a result just because you forgot to remove the barcode card.
I think the system may be overwhelmed with tests to process.
I also went for a test on Friday and haven’t got my result yet.
I’m surprised because all the previous test results have come through in less than 24 hours.