Nursery want negative PCR after positive case

[Charl881]

My DS has covid. Nursery rules are that he’s not allowed back in until he and all others in the household test negative on a PCR (even after the 10 days). Does this sound right/ normal?

I’ve heard that you’re not meant to take a PCR unless you get new symptoms as they can stay positive for a long time after the virus has left your system. Surely I can’t keep him off for weeks until the pcr changes.

You're right! As long as he tests negative on a lateral flow he's clear xx

My son was sent home from school on a positive LFT. Even he was told no need for a PCR. I cant imagine it will possible unless you lie and say he has symptoms which is what I would do. But it will take days

No he doesn't need a negative PCR to return. They are making up their own rules there!

Its know that you can be positive on a PCR for 90 days afterwards though and unless people develop new symptoms, they don't need to re-isolate! Your nursery clearly hadn't read the guidance.

No he doesn't

Thanks, I thought that was the case. Obviously we won’t send him back if he’s still ill.

They are talking bollocks.

When DS was off with Covid they wanted 2 days of negative LFTs after at least the full isolation period (which was still 7 days then) as per government guidance.

Surely you shouldn’t even be getting a PCR test anyway??

@Tryagainplease that’s what I thought! But wasn’t sure if it was me being unreasonable. I’ll have a chat with them tomorrow.

Children can still test to come out of isolation early with 2 consecutive negative LFTs starting from day 5. After day 10 they can end isolation without needing a negative LFT

If you were to ring 119 and ask, they would say no need for PCR test as he has symptoms and has had positive LFT. Tell nursery this, they seem to have the old style rules which needed negative PCR to return.

There was never a rule for a negative PCR to return (or a negative LFT tbh)

@itsfreeeeeeezing1234

You're right! As long as he tests negative on a lateral flow he's clear xx

That is incorrect. He would need to test negative to return from day 6-10 but after 10 days isolation as long as he doesn’t have a temperature he’s fine to return. There is no requirement after the full 10 days isolation to produce a negative LF.

Just an FYI you can still test positive for up to 90 days on a PCR. If you go for another test you will have to restart isolation

The nursery are being bonkers. You are not allowed to take a new PCR if you had a positive test in the last 90 days. They can't exclude a child for 3 months. That is a ridiculous policy.

Our nursery tried this. I sent them gov guidance and also suggested that I would need a refund for any days he was well and legally allowed to attend as they were not providing the contractual service. They were quick to accept him back on day 12.

After 10 days of isolation he can return without any tests. Those are the rules. A negative pcr can never be a requirement as they are so sensitive that they'll still pick up the virus up to 90 days after infection. The nursery have it wrong.