Should you test if you have had Covid in the last month?

[scooterbear]

DP tested positive for Covid on Sunday night. He has tested negative today and will test again tomorrow to see if he can come out of self isolation.
DSS x 2 had Covid three weeks ago. They have been with their mum since Boxing Day night-we are due to pick them up on Saturday. She is now saying they cant come as one of them has a cough which she thinks might be covid again and accusing DP of being irresponsible as he hadn't notified her immediately he tested positive ( she hadn't told him one had a cough, they had just had Covid, and we knew we weren't due to see them for the isolation period so we assumed the risk to them was very low).
Does anyone know if we test the boys again now will it be accurate? Is it likely they might have it again in such a short space of time?

If they have new symptoms then the advice is to get tested again.

T&T told me a week ago that we must not get a PCR for our son for 90 days after his positive result, even if he gets symptoms.

For your DP to end isolation tomorrow with 2 negative LFT's, he would have had to have shown symptoms, or tested positive, last Friday (Xmas Eve).
If the earliest of either of these events was Boxing day then day 6 & 7 would be Saturday & Sunday.
I believe you're not advised to take another PCR test for 90 days after infection because they can still pick up signs of the virus.
I think it unlikely that DSS has contracted the virus again so soon, but an LFT would hopefully confirm a negative result.
I'm 12 days from initial symptoms (likely Omicron) and just had my 1st negative LFT today !

@Flippydip

T&T told me a week ago that we must not get a PCR for our son for 90 days after his positive result, even if he gets symptoms.

They were wrong, that's not the advice on the website!

I've Alsi heard that from my girls school when they had it earlier in the year hence my question. Dp was symptomatic Christmas Eve but we couldnt get hold of any tests for a few days. He didn't go out over Christmas anyway so effectively isolated since then.

I must admit I was surprised @JanglyBeads. She said "do not do another pcr test for 90 days, even if he gets a cough, there's no need".

Yep that's what school said to us too... but the website says test again although it's unlikely you can get it again so soon. Moot point anyway as there are no PCR slots available anywhere near us .

"If you have previously received a positive COVID-19 PCR test result, you are usually advised not to take another PCR test within 90 days of this result. You should only have a PCR test within 90 days of a previous positive PCR test if you develop any new symptoms of COVID-19, if you have a positive LFD test result, or if you are required to take a PCR test upon entry into the UK."

Taken from the govt website. So a new PCR could pick up remnants of the old virus, but an LFT is less likely to.
Personally I would do a lateral flow and if that's positive, follow up with a PCR.

@scooterbear

DP tested positive for Covid on Sunday night. He has tested negative today and will test again tomorrow to see if he can come out of self isolation. DSS x 2 had Covid three weeks ago. They have been with their mum since Boxing Day night-we are due to pick them up on Saturday. She is now saying they cant come as one of them has a cough which she thinks might be covid again and accusing DP of being irresponsible as he hadn't notified her immediately he tested positive ( she hadn't told him one had a cough, they had just had Covid, and we knew we weren't due to see them for the isolation period so we assumed the risk to them was very low). Does anyone know if we test the boys again now will it be accurate? Is it likely they might have it again in such a short space of time?

Im not surprised shes accused your DP of being irresponsible tbh, he tested positive the same day he sent his sons home to her! after having symptoms for two days .

The advice for separated households has always been that you treat both households as one I think? She had no underlying health issues, the risk is tiny snd if we'd not have sent them back she would have gone ballistic tbh do that was a no win either way

No scooterbear - altho the advice has not been clear on those circumstances at all at times.

About a year ago they clarified that child contact was not one of the listed legal reasons for breaking isolation.

But children are allowed to move between homes during lockdowns etc as long as there is no one infected at the time.

@scooterbear

The advice for separated households has always been that you treat both households as one I think? She had no underlying health issues, the risk is tiny snd if we'd not have sent them back she would have gone ballistic tbh do that was a no win either way

Yes im aware of that, but not telling her was irresponsible. The kids are close contacts and need to be doing daily LFTs, plus how do you know they have not been mixing with people who are more vulnerable, thinking al was fine? by not informing her you have taken that choice away from her. Plus its clear youve not completed track n trace or they would have asked for the kids details.

Coughs can linger for months after covid so I wouldn’t test

It’s highly likely so soon that he hasn’t got it

Lfts are also banned within 90 days - new update

Do you have a link for that @Watapalava ? I can only find this, re PCRs

"If you have previously received a positive COVID-19 PCR test result, you are not usually advised to be re-tested within 90 days of this result.
However, you should have a PCR test within 90 days of a previous positive PCR test if you develop any new symptoms of COVID-19."