Supposed to be flying in 24 hours, dbro test +ve

[JurassicPark101]

He had CV a month ago, positive test on 2nd August, he then quarantined as necessary and has been fine ever since. Slight fever and cough for the first few days but nothing since.

We’re supposed to be flying to Germany tomorrow afternoon for my mum’s 70th, he’s just received his test back and it’s positive 🤦‍♀️. He’s been staying with me and my dc for the last week, I’ve had a negative test, dc’s have negative latflo tests.

What should we do? Is it worth trying to get another PCR test for him? Do people often get a positive result weeks after having the infection? If he doesn’t fly should dc and I still fly considering we’ve been sharing a house and a good chance we now have it despite current -ve tests?

Argh, this is such a nightmare! My mum is already over there. If we don’t get there she’ll be on her own for her 70th and we’ve spent thousands on this bloody holiday 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

You aren’t meant to have PCR tests within 90 days of having COVID as it will likely still show up.

^ as above. Many countries accept a fit to fly notice from a doctor in this situation.

As above

You don't need a test to come into Germany, I live here and all you need is a certificate of recovery if you've had Covid during the 180 days previous to your stay. This certificate can also be used anywhere that has the 3G rule (restaurants, concerts...).

Why would you he a test if it isn't needed?

You will need a test to go back to the UK (if that's where you are?) but you can also do an antigen test instead of PCR, which aren't as sensitive.

Which brings me to, why did he even get a PCR to begin with? Germany also accepts antigen tests on entry. Is he fully vaccinated? Because then he doesn't even need a test or a recovery certificate...

But if he isn't vaccinated or he can't provide the recovery certificate to the einreiseanmeldung website, he'll need to quarantine for 5 days and take a test (danger of it being positive again), or do 10 days of quarantine.

Point is, you don't need a test (defo not a PCR one) to enter Germany. Unless you're coming from a red country.

Sorry, wasn’t clear in OP. We’re flying to Germany to meet my mum then going to Switzerland which does (until next week) need a PCR test. It’s it so much whether he can get on the flight tomorrow but whether he should if he’s still infectious/ likely to have infected dc and I.

I had no idea about not having a PCR test within 90 days. I flew about 3 weeks after I had it back in May and wasn’t asked at any point if I’d recently had Covid when I had my PCR done.

How are you entering Switzerland? Air/land/train?

Have you checked travelcheck.admin.ch because last time I did, if you enter by car you don't actually need anything. Even if you've spent time in the UK recently.

If he had Covid a month ago, it's very unlikely he's still infectious. Nigh on impossible. You or your children would have caught it off him at least 14 days ago, which means even your infectious periods would now be up. You're all technically allowed to travel, unless someone develops symptoms.

Is he not vaccinated? That sorts it all out in Europe, you don't even need regular testing for events or restaurants if you have a vaccination pass.

eileengc we have flights booked but we’re actually thinking of hiring a car anyway (before +ve test) as it might be easier and flights were cheap anyway.

I’m more concerned with whether he’s still able to spread the infection or whether it’s likely dc or I have caught it. My mum’s double jabbed (as am I and dbro) but she’s still 70 and not especially healthy, I’d hate for her to catch it if he is still infectious.

We’ve all got our vaccination passes

The most important question is, does he have an official recovery certificate, or is he fully vaccinated? With either one of those documents he can stop worrying about testing. Regardless of coming in via plane, train, car - it will exempt him from testing.

I have never heard someone (scientists, the media...) talk about a period of infection longer than 14 days. It's why we only isolate 10/14 days after testing positive, or after coming back from a risk area.

That is the timeline in which you are/could still be infectious. A month on, he won't be infectious. He could still test positive though, which is why everyone advises you not to test within 90 days of having Covid, because chances are you'll produce another positive result.

Brilliant, thank you. It sounds like he’s almost certainly not infectious so we’ll still head off tomorrow!

I know a few people who have the problem of their children testing positive on a PCR for travel despite having Covid four to six weeks ago. They have had to change their holiday destinations to countries that accept antigen tests (as their DCs tested negative on these) so I wouldn’t be worried about your brother infecting you or your family. The virus can show up in a PCR for weeks.

I'm a health researcher & have worked on Covid projects. As others have said, a positive PCR at this point means nothing. On average people are infectious for about 7 days from symptom onset, ie this is the period where live virus can be cultivated from them. It is rare to be infectious beyond 10 days & I believe this has only been shown in immunocompromised patients. However, PCR tests pick up "dead" viral RNA which is being cleared out of your body long after you're infectious. People test positive via PCR for about 17 days on average, but there's a lot of variation in the length of this period so it's common to test positive for longer, even up to 80+ days. This is why repeat PCR testing is not recommended within 90 days of a positive result - eg see CDC guidelines on duration of isolation