How long did you test positive for?

[xsquared]

And when did you return to work?

I'm on day 10 and was all dressed up to go to work while waiting for the test result. Turns out it's still positive!

Work dictates that I can't come back until I get two negative tests, which is really frustrating as I don't feel unwell, but given where I work, I know that I can't avoid contact with others so easily.

I'm on Day 9 and still positive.

Work are being unreasonable about this though and insist that I should have been back after Day 5. I've actually been really poorly though, and would not have been able to teach! I'm a primary teacher...I have 34 x 6 year olds in my class and no TA. My standard 'working week' is 65-70 hours (and it's still not enough!).

Not a chance in hell I could have gone back after Day 5 (if anything, the line was even darker/stronger on Day 5 and I could barely drag myself to the bathroom!)

I do, however, have to go back in on Friday, regardless of whether or not I am still positive. Apparently that's the rule 🤷‍♀️

After Day 10, even if you are still testing positive, you are free to go (in England...I think it's different in other parts of the UK).

Hope you're feeling ok 👍

As the PP said after today you don’t need to test because you’ve completed the ten day isolation period regardless of whether your test is positive or not.

Then it ties in with the advice not to test for 90 days after an infection without the onset of new symptoms.

Have you got an occupational health or HR department you could seek clarification from? Theoretically you could produce a positive test for weeks yet (not likely but the 90 day period has been decided for a reason) and obviously that’s not viable for you to treat yourself as infected in any scenario.

I still tested positive on Day 15 (checked as had been planning to see someone vulnerable) but guidance said I could go out from day 11 so I did but tried to avoid anyone particularly vulnerable.

@Cornettoninja

As the PP said after today you don’t need to test because you’ve completed the ten day isolation period regardless of whether your test is positive or not.

Then it ties in with the advice not to test for 90 days after an infection without the onset of new symptoms.

Have you got an occupational health or HR department you could seek clarification from? Theoretically you could produce a positive test for weeks yet (not likely but the 90 day period has been decided for a reason) and obviously that’s not viable for you to treat yourself as infected in any scenario.

HR sent an email out at the start of the month saying that they recommend that we do not return on site for at least 5 days after symptoms only return if we get two negatives on the LFT.

Thank you @SpringIntoChaos. I don't feel bad at all.

I hope you feel better soon.

I first tested positive last Wednesday it was a fairly faint line but obvious. I tested yesterday as that was the five full days and it came up bright red immediately and the same again today so I’ve a feeling it’s going to be ages.

Though I’m not going to test for the next couple of days and stay isolating until I’ve done 10 days.

Only tested positive for 4 days this time and was always a faint line. When i had it in Nov i was positive for 9 days. I'm working at home anyway as my youngest is also off school with it.

It seems I’ve misremembered the testing advice and 90 days applies to PCR testing not LFT.

I don’t think your HR have been entirely clear @xsquared. I’d want to ask what people are meant to do if their symptom free, past the standard ten days and still positive.

Buried in this link ( www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-management-of-exposed-healthcare-workers-and-patients-in-hospital-settings/covid-19-management-of-exposed-healthcare-workers-and-patients-in-hospital-settings ) advising healthcare settings it advises that individual assessments should take place if someone is symptom free and continues to test positive after fourteen days.

@Yourinmyspot

I first tested positive last Wednesday it was a fairly faint line but obvious. I tested yesterday as that was the five full days and it came up bright red immediately and the same again today so I’ve a feeling it’s going to be ages.

Though I’m not going to test for the next couple of days and stay isolating until I’ve done 10 days.

Exactly the same, still going strong on day 8! The lines are much bolder than when I first got a positive test. I'm not going to bother testing tomorrow (day 9) as it doesn't make any difference to release from self-isolation now. Might do one on day 10 or 11 just out of interest though.

10 days positive for me and 13 for DP. Like you he had to have 2 days of negative tests before being allowed to go back to work.

@Yourinmyspot

I first tested positive last Wednesday it was a fairly faint line but obvious. I tested yesterday as that was the five full days and it came up bright red immediately and the same again today so I’ve a feeling it’s going to be ages.

Though I’m not going to test for the next couple of days and stay isolating until I’ve done 10 days.

DS's was bright red on day 5 then negative by day 8 so maybe try then if you can spare a test.