Positive LFT after 10 days isolation

[greyinganddecaying]

My 11yo tested positive on LFT & PCR 10 days ago. Symptoms started 11 days ago. His symptoms were flu-like & only lasted 2-3 days. The rest of us all still have symptoms.

He's now finished isolation & can go out, but LFT is still showing positive.

From what I've found online, he can still go out after 10 days isolation, even if testing positive on PCR (as PCR is more sensitive) as it can take a while to get it out if the system. But what about positive LFT? Doesn't that mean that there's high enough levels still in his symptom (so may be able to infect others)?

I'm concerned that as the rest of us have it he may have been reinfected & still able to pass it on.

Can anyone help with this please?

He doesn't need a negative LFT to leave isolation if his 10 days have been done

I know that, but I'm concerned that a positive LFT could mean that he's been reinfected by the rest of the household and is still potentially infectious.

He won’t have been reinfected so quickly.

If he is symptom free, then go out but be a bit more careful than usual.

You can test positive for up to 90days after a positive result
He should only for another PCR if he developed new symptoms
Hope this helps x

So the rest of the household all isolating due to testing positive?

No OP. The recent change in legislation re' the 'day 6 and 7 test to release early' seems to have caused confusion around this.
He does NOT need to stay in. Provided he is no longer symptomatic he is no longer infectious and quite likely hasn't been for days. You do NOT need a negative LFT to go out after day 10 and this is why you are not asked to perform one.

@oftenbaffled

So the rest of the household all isolating due to testing positive?

Yes that's right.

Thanks all - I'm just unsure because I can't find any (recent/omicron) information on how infectious people are with a positive LFT after full isolation. I know that PCR can pick up low levels of the virus for up to 90 days, but a positive LFT seems to be a grey area.

How long you need to self-isolate

If you test positive, your self-isolation period includes the day your symptoms started (or the day you had the test, if you do not have symptoms) and the next 10 full days.

If you get symptoms while you're self-isolating, the 10 days restarts from the day after your symptoms started.

When to stop self-isolating

You can stop self-isolating after 7 days if you do a rapid lateral flow test on days 6 and 7 of your self-isolation period and:

• both tests are negative
• you did both tests at least 24 hours apart
• you do not have a high temperature

If you do a rapid lateral flow test on day 6 and test positive, wait 24 hours before you do the next test.

If you stop self-isolating on or after day 7, it's important that you take steps to reduce the chance of passing COVID-19 to others. This means you should:

• work from home if you can
• wear a face covering in shops, on public transport and when it's hard to stay away from other people – particularly indoors, in crowded places or where there is not much fresh air
• limit contact withpeople at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19
• follow advice onhow to avoid catching and spreading COVID-19

You can stop self-isolating after the 10 days if either:

• you do not have any symptoms
• you just have a cough or changes to your sense of smell or taste – these can last for weeks after the infection has gone

When to keep self-isolating after 10 days

If you have a high temperature after the 10 days, or are feeling unwell, keep self-isolating and seek medical advice.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection from here:

You should not take any moreLFDtests after the 10th day of your isolation period and you may stop self-isolating after this day. This is because you are unlikely to be infectious after the 10th day of your isolation period. Even if you have a positiveLFDtest result on the 10th day of your self-isolation period you should not take any moreLFDtests after this day. If you are concerned you may choose to keep following the above advice until 14 days after the start of your self-isolation period.

That's a bit clearer - thanks