Student covid tests

[Daisy62]

Can someone point me to a definitive info source? If a student has had covid (positive test) in the last few weeks, completed their self isolation period about 3 weeks ago, do they need to take the 2 tests before coming home? My understanding is that the tests may still show positive (and then what - isolation again??) We can’t find a guideline and student test site doesn’t have a contact line. In the meantime, my student has booked to have the tests but we are unsure.

I have seen guidance that staff shouldn't get tested again within 90 days of a positive test unless they have symptoms:

Staff who have previously tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 byPCRshould be exempt from being retested within a period of 90 days from their initial illness onset, unless they develop new possible COVID-19 symptoms. This is because fragments of inactive virus can be persistently detected byPCRin respiratory tract samples for some time following infection. If a staff member is found to be positive for SARS-CoV-2 byPCRwithin 90 days from their initial illness onset, depending on their symptoms and advice from an infection specialist, they may need to self-isolate again.

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 from here

After the isolation period has ended
If you have tested positive for COVID-19, you will probably have developed some immunity to the disease. However, it cannot be guaranteed that everyone will develop immunity, or how long it will last. It is possible for tests to detect residual virus for some time after COVID-19 infection. Anyone who has previously received a positive test result for COVID-19 should only be re-tested within a 90-day period if they develop any new symptoms of COVID-19.

From this document here

I've told my DS not to bother testing as he only had it last month. Two of his flatmates have tested though, even though they had it at the same time, and have come back negative. Just hope the others are also negative so I can collect him on Friday.

This is in the guidance from my uni. If you can't read it it basically says if you have tested positive for COVID within 90 days you don't need to take a test.

Thank you everyone, that is all massively helpful, really appreciate it.

My understanding was that they shouldn't take the test if they've had the virus, but DS's uni told them to take it anyway. I have warned DS of the possible outcome but he is going ahead with it. If he is then told to self isolate he will want to ignore the advice, so I think it a waste of time.

@simbobs

My understanding was that they shouldn't take the test if they've had the virus, but DS's uni told them to take it anyway. I have warned DS of the possible outcome but he is going ahead with it. If he is then told to self isolate he will want to ignore the advice, so I think it a waste of time.

That’s interesting Simbobs, I wonder why your son’s university isn’t going with the 90 day guideline.

Don't forget it's only guidance. If they want to come home without taking any test they can.

The 90 day period is actually specifically mentioned in the 'returning to university' guidance published today (but not in the 'going home' version, unless I've missed it):

If a student has had a positive coronavirus (COVID-19) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test in the last 90 days through NHS Test and Trace and been recorded as a positive case on the national system, they do not need to be tested again.
www.gov.uk/government/publications/higher-education-reopening-buildings-and-campuses/students-returning-to-higher-education-from-spring-term

Just to say, no student has to take the test. It's voluntary.

Thanks again all, so it's clear that there's no need to test if you've had a positive test in the last 90 days, were recorded by Test & Trace, and have no new symptoms. I know the testing is not obligatory for any student, but we wanted to do the responsible thing, whatever that was going to be.