How long before going for a pcr?

[weddingdilemmma]

My friend tested positive on a lft today - he's had a pcr and waiting on results.

I seen him from 8-10pm last night for a quick drink. How long should I wait to do a PCR as a close contact. I'd rather get it ASAP but since it's only been 12hrs since I seen him, is there a minimum amount of time I need to wait?

Local council recommends 3 days for household contacts. (But ASAP for normal contacts...)

You could get one now but the likelihood is that it would be negative if you did catch it as it would be too soon. Dp had a similar dilemma. He was close contact on a Wednesday, his close contact tested positive the very next day. Dp did a pcr Friday and negative but then by Sunday his lft was positive and confirmed by pcr.

Similar with Ds last week. He was negative on the Wednesday and positive by Friday after being in contacts with Dp above ^.

It can change quickly.

@Aroundtheworldin80moves

Local council recommends 3 days for household contacts. (But ASAP for normal contacts...)

Why the difference? 🤯

@Coronachristmas21

You could get one now but the likelihood is that it would be negative if you did catch it as it would be too soon. Dp had a similar dilemma. He was close contact on a Wednesday, his close contact tested positive the very next day. Dp did a pcr Friday and negative but then by Sunday his lft was positive and confirmed by pcr.

Similar with Ds last week. He was negative on the Wednesday and positive by Friday after being in contacts with Dp above ^.

It can change quickly.

Thanks! So we should probably isolate for a couple of days before doing PCR? Even if it's not in the rules it seems like the sensible thing to do! Just hope my boss sees it the same way!

There's barely any PCR tests available today!

@weddingdilemmma well you don't have to isolate but would be sensible to take precautions. When Dp was a close contact he didn't isolate completely between exposure and testing positive. It was a few days but work expected him in so he kept away from people (his work is pretty distanced anyway), masks, lft's, hand washing etc. We were meant to go a Christmas event that weekend but decided against.

None of the people that Dp seen at work in between exposure and positive result got covid. But he didn't get that close to them! His close contact was a work colleague too but not a typical work day - was a training day! Bloody typical as he wouldn't normally have much contact with the person who gave it to him.