People socialising as soon as they're negative

[Alysskea]

I'm seeing family and close family friends for Christmas Eve - only 4 of them so objectively not a lot but a couple have had Covid very very recently. They say they will make sure they have a negative test before coming but that to me implies they're currently testing positive or were very recently. Would you accept a negative test as reassurance that they're no longer contagious when they've just had covid?

Yes, if they're negative then they're negative.

When you say 'very recently' what do you mean?

Yes, if two negatives two days running.

Some people can test positive for week or even months after you know?

Absolutely! People are only contagious early on in covid - so by the time they are testing negative they are not contagious.

Unless they are still symptomatic or in their isolation period you'll be fine

Hell yes

Unless you’re not happy to be spending Christmas with them, then use it as an excuse!

I suspect fact you’re asking, means that is indeed the case!

After 10 days it's fine as you can test positive for about 3 months but not infectious. Before 10 days people have to get 2 negative tests, 24 hours apart on day 6 and 7 or later. If any of the family are vulnerable you may wish to be more cautious.

When did they first get it

@WeeHaggisFace

Some people can test positive for week or even months after you know?

On a pcr. Not on LFT.

@oftenbaffled that made me laugh!!! I love them I'm just a bit paranoid about Covid and having to miss work for self isolation etc.

@User762980 this is helpful I will try and do some detective work about when they caught it!!

Thanks all for the reassurance I know most likely fine

If they're people you know well enough to see xmas eve, then I think they or close contacts would have already told you if they have had covid. I'd take it to mean they're doing a LFT before meeting and will let you know the result.

Not sure if you mean PCR or LFT but my niece tested positive on LFT's for about 5 weeks after having Covid. She was advised not to take a PCR either for 3 months unless had a few symptoms as that would show positive too 🤷🏽‍♀️

[quote Alysskea]@oftenbaffled that made me laugh!!! I love them I'm just a bit paranoid about Covid and having to miss work for self isolation etc.

@User762980 this is helpful I will try and do some detective work about when they caught it!!

Thanks all for the reassurance I know most likely fine [/quote]
Well in that case

Just be open and honest with them!

@WeeHaggisFace

Some people can test positive for week or even months after you know?

Only on a PCR.

A LFT will tell you if you are infectious at the time the test was taken.