DD tested positive & has symptoms - postal PCR or go to test centre?

[daisybank2]

Me & DH have different opinions.
DD has had 2 positive lateral flows & mild covid symptoms.
I think she should do PCR by post, rather than go to test centre (close by and walkable) so doesn't leave the house and potentially infect others.

But DH thinks for quicker result we should go to walk in test centre.
99% sure she has covid - but obviously need the official PCR result. What would you do?!

Glad you got your test out of the way @daisybank2, I hope she feels better soon!

@emmathedilemma

I'd go to the walk in one, wear a mask on the way there if she can. My local one is in portacabins with the doors open so it's practically outside and the staff don't come anywhere near you. I've never seen anyone else there for a test at the same time. If you do a postal one are you not going to run into issues with weekend post deliveries / collections?

They collect from the priority postboxes 7 days a week.

I did a postal one, got results in two days. X

Why bother? She has symptoms and positive lft. Just isolate from start of symptoms.

@Northernlurker my employer would only give leave to care for a child of primary school age who had to isolate if they had a positive PCR so it's not always as as easy as that.

Of course that's fair enough if they are asking for proof. If not though I just don't see a need to put the kid through another test.

@Northernlurker the test will also determine whether she has the Omicrom variant. T&T will also contact her close contacts. Her school will need to know. She will be told from when to isolate.

Only if the test goes to a lab that can establish that and that's not universal. And T&T appear unable to count to 10 accurately. Omicron is spreading relentlessly. And we still have no indication how problematic that is . Sending kids home from school is not going to make any difference and we know that IS problematic for the kids involved.

@Northernlurker

Of course that's fair enough if they are asking for proof. If not though I just don't see a need to put the kid through another test.

I’m with you here though I know some people need the proof. Ds was positive on an lft a week ago, his class has it including his best mate. It took us two hours of crying to get him to do the lft. No point in going through all that again IMO. Just keeping him off. Rest of us duly got PCRs.

[quote TSSDNCOP]@Northernlurker the test will also determine whether she has the Omicrom variant. T&T will also contact her close contacts. Her school will need to know. She will be told from when to isolate.[/quote]
It’s a fair point about omicron but t&t won’t talk to schools. Kid hadn’t been anywhere other than school and grandparents. Told the grandparent and the school- Neither insisted on a pcr. Took first day of symptoms to be day 0, will send him back on day 11. Job done.

They're only testing at most 20% of pcrs for omicron.

I had the most useless phone call ever from test and Trace(my daughter currently has covid) and the really painfully stupid woman on the phone who read out her scripts without listening to anything I said, said, "as it is possible you have the omicron variant.."

Me: hang on, is that based on the actual test or do you just say that to everyone?

Her: what?

Me: did my daughter's test sample indicate omicron or do you just say that sentence to everyone?

Her: oh, we say it to everyone

Helpful.

Ger