Need advice?

[coffeewithmilk]

Hi,
Sorry if this seems like a stupid question but my mind is absolute mush at the moment.
I woke on Friday morning feeling heaviness in my chest, then it proceeded to make me feel nausea and generally unwell with aches and pains.
I've had a cough since yesterday.
All antigens were negative up until today (Tuesday)
How long do I need to isolate for? I'm on holiday in the UK so not really sure of the rules here.

Any help is appreciated. Thank you

As your symptoms started Friday that would be day zero. While there is no legal obligation to advertise the guidance is that you isolate for 5 days (if you're over 18, 3 days for under 18). So that would make Thursday your release day, as long as you don't still have a temperature.
In reality though lots of people won't have tested in the first place and will be walking around with covid thinking they have a cold or hayfever while others will have tested and still be out and about.

As your symptoms started Friday that would be day zero. While there is no legal obligation to advertise the guidance is that you isolate for 5 days (if you're over 18, 3 days for under 18). So that would make Thursday your release day, as long as you don't still have a temperature.
In reality though lots of people won't have tested in the first place and will be walking around with covid thinking they have a cold or hayfever while others will have tested and still be out and about.

Legally you don't.

I tested positive last Wednesday and whilst I didn't feel too bad the first couple of days, I now feel absolutely awful...there's no way I'd go out and knowingly inflict this on someone! My lateral flow this morning was very positive still, so I'm staying out of everyone's way until I'm not infectious.

I also work in healthcare and we have to not come into work until we have 2 consecutive lateral flows anyway....

Thank you both for your responses. I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving my room and inflict this on anyone else.
Guess it's Netflix and takeaway for me until I feel better! Some holiday! 😣

@firef1y today is my release day, but I still have quite a bad runny nose, occasional cough, no fever. Lateral flows are still blaring positive.
Is it ok to go outside, and if I do go to the shop to wear a mask?

Sorry for the questions, I just don't want to break any rules as I'm not from here and the rules in my country are isolate for 7 days from onset of symptoms

Technically speaking there are no rules, only guidance and you could have gone out at any time.

Lateral flows can be positive for months after so they are not accurate.
your isolation period is up therefore unlikely to be contagious
you may still have symptoms for weeks and months after
there’s no law about isolating and you won’t get in trouble

go to the shops, go sightseeing, go for a walk. Go and enjoy the rest of your holiday (if you are feeling well enough)

Thank you everyone for your replies. Much appreciated!

I certainly can't see why you wouldn't go outside, even if you prefer not to be in public indoor spaces. The fresh air and some Vitamin D will do you good.

Here is the current guidance

www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-and-treatment/when-to-self-isolate-and-what-to-do/

So the advice is to avoid contact with people at higher risk for ten days after a positive test. As you can't know who (among strangers) is high risk, I would avoid indoor mixing if at all possible, but there is no problem going for a walk or other exercise outdoors on your own. If you do have to go into a shop or something then yes, wear a mask. There is further advice in that link.

And if you are still positive, you are very likely to be infectious (rather than infected) and therefore able to transmit the virus to others. LFDs are good at picking up infectious cases and they do not stay positive for months (that's PCRs, which are much more sensitive).
www.ox.ac.uk/news/2020-11-11-oxford-university-and-phe-confirm-lateral-flow-tests-show-high-specificity-and-are

I've had covid twice recently and was glad I didn't have to worry that I might have infected someone vulnerable, once I knew I had it. I hope you feel better soon and can salvage something of your holiday!