Do I have to put DD through a PCR?

[ArcticRollHouse]

DD is 6, been in contact with her dad and his sister over Christmas, came back yesterday and they’ve both this morning had positive PCRs.

DDs been negative so far on LFTs, but I’m wondering if I have to put her through a PCR? It’s going to have to be a postal test if I do as I share a car with a family member, so can’t risk possible positive DD being in contact with the car.

I know I have to do daily LFTs on her wish me luck she always struggles but do I need to do a PCR on her at any point?

Anyone know?

For what I know both ExH and Ex-SIL are fine, bit of a cough and cold. ExH did test positive at the end of last year as well (not that I feel in anyway sorry for him after what he put me through). I am double vaccinated and slightly worried as I’ve never knowingly had covid, and nor has DD

Pcr Is no worse than lft. If you've been happy to do lfts on her then I'd go ahead and get a postal pcr so you know for sure.

The postal PCR is the same process (nose and throat swab) as the LFT so if you can do an LFT on her then she won’t have any different experience doing the PCR. PCR results are more accurate though.

I would probably do one pcr rather than daily LFTs. At least then only one swab!
Isolate her for 3-4 days, then pcr and if negative assume negative?
When we had Covid my Dad was a contact and that’s what we were advised by T&T. LFTs weren’t mentioned, just a pcr on day 4-5.

Close contacts guidance has changed to daily LFTs plus PCR

Please follow the guidance. Close contacts should now do daily lft for 7 days, not get a PCR. The PCR will only tell you if she’s negative at the time of the test, the lft will monitor viral load over a longer period in case she goes on to develop the virus in the coming days.

I’d assume she will do would be stocking up on food and essentials for a 7-10 day isolation.

@HelenaJustina

Please follow the guidance. Close contacts should now do daily lft for 7 days, not get a PCR. The PCR will only tell you if she’s negative at the time of the test, the lft will monitor viral load over a longer period in case she goes on to develop the virus in the coming days.

I’d assume she will do would be stocking up on food and essentials for a 7-10 day isolation.

@HelenaJustina she's only 6 so it'll be me stocking up, which I have done, and will try to stay away from shops but I won't have anyone to help me if she tests positive until ExH is out of isolation as my parents won't help (whole other thread) so I'm worried she will be positive and then I may get it and we'll be stuck.

I have 7 days food in atm.

I do think with a small child it isn’t really on to do uncomfortable tests in them daily, what’s the other option?
Isolate for 10 days from first contact with positive?

That’s what I meant @ArcticRollHouse, glad you’ve got supplies in. I would assume she will test positive at some point in the next 7 days. You’ll then need to do daily lft for the next seven.

Can you get hold of a good supply of tests? Is there anyone else around who can drop stuff on the doorstep. I wouldn’t be locking myself away until she tests positive but would avoid busy/crowded places and vulnerable people.

@LegoPandemic

I do think with a small child it isn’t really on to do uncomfortable tests in them daily, what’s the other option? Isolate for 10 days from first contact with positive?

@LegoPandemic First contact was Christmas Day (25th) and last contact yesterday (27th), 10 days would be 5th or 7th, which means she'll miss the start of the new school term as she goes back on the 4th, can't see that going down well with her headteacher

If she's positive and ex husband is already isolating why can't you drop her off with him?

@HelenaJustina

That’s what I meant *@ArcticRollHouse*, glad you’ve got supplies in. I would assume she will test positive at some point in the next 7 days. You’ll then need to do daily lft for the next seven.

Can you get hold of a good supply of tests? Is there anyone else around who can drop stuff on the doorstep. I wouldn’t be locking myself away until she tests positive but would avoid busy/crowded places and vulnerable people.

Unfortunately no-one to help @HelenaJustina my parents usually help with childcare etc. but are both covid sceptic so won't help me in an isolation situation as they think it's all b***ks and tell me to just get on with my life and not test either me or DD at all.

Realistically her head will have much, much bigger problems next term than a missing 6 year old😂

PCR but do both nostrils.

That is what we do for my younger two (3 and 6) as advised at the test centre.

@musicalfrog

If she's positive and ex husband is already isolating why can't you drop her off with him?

@musicalfrog he doesn't live with Ex-SIL but has contact at her house, so doesn't have a room for DD, Ex-SIL will be working from home and will have her own children at home to home school so won't want an extra one.

ExH will not have her at his house at all, it's always at Ex-SILs.

@LegoPandemic

Realistically her head will have much, much bigger problems next term than a missing 6 year old😂

@LegoPandemic I can't afford a fine, ExH won't pay it if I choose to keep DD off so I'll have £120ish fine which is roughly a months food for me and DD, I can't afford it.

She's already at under 90% for last term due to a sickness bug and tonsilitis back to back (and I did put DD through a PCR for both and both times it was negative).

Doing a drive through PCR is no big deal. If she’s positive, you’re unlikely to contaminate the car with covid. Just open the windows once you’re done?

So she’s had a positive lft, so if you don’t do a PCR test, she will have to isolate for 10 days. A lot of children will be missing their first days of school, so it cannot be helped, but unless you do a PCR test, it won’t be recorded as her having had covid and you may well be in the same position when she goes back to school and being a close contact to another person. Personally I would want to know for definite that she does or doesn’t have covid.

@Mindymomo

So she’s had a positive lft, so if you don’t do a PCR test, she will have to isolate for 10 days. A lot of children will be missing their first days of school, so it cannot be helped, but unless you do a PCR test, it won’t be recorded as her having had covid and you may well be in the same position when she goes back to school and being a close contact to another person. Personally I would want to know for definite that she does or doesn’t have covid.

@Mindymomo no, her dad (my ExH) and her aunt (my ex-SIL) have both had positive PCRs.

PCR isn't a big deal & you'll know for definite. Not sure why you'd not just go one

Your DD isn't going to pass Covid on by going in the car. Just open windows etc once you've been

You should both do a PCR tomorrow.

It's easier to do that and know she's positive than keep "putting her through" the LFT tests.

The car is also not a problem. Put her in the back with the windows down and wipe off a few surfaces after. They have more or less proven that it isn't transferred by surface.

School will not fine you for covid related absences.
They don’t bloody well want any possibly infectious child in school anyway.

School cannot fine you if you ring and say your DD has to self isolate🤷‍♀️

You will not get fined if she has to self isolate because she tests positive for Covid.

I'm not worried about a fine if she tests positive, I'm on about what @LegoPandemic suggested of not daily testing her but keeping her in isolation for 10 days anyway, I would get a fine then.