First household positive result

[HettySunshine]

Please can someone explain to me s-l-o-w-l-y what the household needs to do now.

DH has just had a positive lateral flow test. I’ve booked him a PCR test this morning. DD(8) has a cough as well so I've booked her a test too.

My lateral flow is negative and I have no symptoms. So I don’t need a PCR unless DH or DD get a positive result? But I have to stay at home until we're sure?

Other DC have no symptoms so have to stay at home for 5 days (this might be school guidance rather than The Rules) but the above applies re: getting a PCR if there are any positive results.

Is all that right? Sorry, this is the first positive test result we've had so I've not had to keep up with the process until now.

DH & I are both double vaccinated.

Bloody hell.

Just take the test now seeing you're taking a trip there anyway - save you going once his positive test comes, which it very likely will if positive ltf

Also your actions next depend which country you are in as even within uk it's different

If you are double vaccinated the n you don't need to stay home. I'd get a pcr test now as well but you won't need to isolate unless it's positive.

Agree with PP you might as well test now too as his PCR will be positive then you will have to go back anyway. I think your understanding of the rules is right. But if you need any household supplies then common sense is for you (with no symptoms and negative LFT so unlikely infectious at present) to get to get in any essentials for next couple of days and book a grocery delivery for after that in case you do test positive or develop symptoms.

@wishingitwasfriday

If you are double vaccinated the n you don't need to stay home. I'd get a pcr test now as well but you won't need to isolate unless it's positive.

If you're in Scotland you do all need to take a PCR and isolate until results come in

Sorry, should have said, we're in England.

Will we be allowed to have PCR tests if we don't have any symptoms? Is a positive lateral flow in the household enough of a reason?

I would say so OP (comes under close contact with a positive case)

If you're in England:

DH and child with symptoms need to isolate until the PCR results come back. If PCR is positive then test and trace will advise when their isolation ends.

The rest of you do not need to isolate. If school are asking that the other DC do not attend, that's a school rule but they (and you) can still leave the house. It would be sensible to minimise interaction with others though, especially with anyone you know who's vulnerable.

You and non-symptomatic DC can choose to do a PCR if DH / other child test positive (as you're a close contact of a positive case), but it's not compulsory.

If you and other DC subsequently develop symptoms or test positive on a routine lateral flow, then you need to book a PCR - even if you do one now and it's negative - as it can take 2-14 days for you to 'catch' it from when you were exposed to it.

Don't panic. If DH is vaccinated it's likely that the symptoms will be mild and it's not a given that the rest of you will definitely catch it anyway.

Safest to assume his positive LFT will convert to a positive PCR.

@HettySunshine

Sorry, should have said, we're in England.

Will we be allowed to have PCR tests if we don't have any symptoms? Is a positive lateral flow in the household enough of a reason?

Yes you can because nobody asks for proof. Just put that you're a close contact of a positive case.

However, bear in mind that if you test negative but subsequently develop symptoms or have a positive lateral flow (adults and older kids - under 11s shouldn't be doing a lateral flow), you'll need to do another PCR. It can take anything from 2-14 days for you to develop Covid from when you're exposed to it so you could test negative today but start showing symptoms tomorrow or next week so would need another test.

If your kids really dislike being tested, this is something to bear in mind as if you did one today, you might end up having to do another in a few days' time.

@HettySunshine

Sorry, should have said, we're in England.

Will we be allowed to have PCR tests if we don't have any symptoms? Is a positive lateral flow in the household enough of a reason?

You can take a PCR test for whatever reason you wish. Not sure what options are on the website anymore but just tick one of them. Last time I booked you could book up to 3 more household members off the back of one

Thank you. I have booked myself a pcr. I'll get younger dc done if they develop symptoms or the school ask. Ds is autistic and I don't relish the prospect of having to test him.

Also if you actually want to stop your family from infecting others - which the current guidelines don’t really achieve since kids and vaccinated people don’t need to self-isolate despite being in close contact with someone with covid - then you can continue taking LFT tests daily anyway. Just pick them up from a pharmacy (think you may need to request some via government website). We picked up my daughter’s covid via LFT 2 days before she showed symptoms and kept her off school, if we had followed the guidelines as others area mentioning (or only pcr If show symptoms) then she would have spread it far more widely at school.

They really don’t care if you test more people from your family rather than less. I would get everyone a pcr and then continue doing LFTs for the duration before going out and getting into contact with people.

I hope she gets it only mildly xx

My daughter has just tested positive, test and trace rang and said any child under 18 needs a PCR test even if they are not displaying any symptoms as they could be asymptomatic. I've had a PCR test but not had the results yet, I am expecting it to be positive as I've tested positive on a lateral flow.