IT’S a concerning time for Brits who are eager to spend time with loved ones at Christmas, but cautious they are carrying the coronavirus.
Millions would have been in self-isolation recently due the huge wave of Omicon infections.
Although the virus is spreading at a rapid rate, a string of hugely positive studies show Omicron IS milder than other strains, with the first official UK report revealing the risk of hospitalisation is 50 to 70 per cent lower than with Delta.
Brits are being urged to get their Covid booster jabs which protect against Omicron and offer the best chance to get through the pandemic, health officials have repeatedly said.
The Sun's Jabs Army campaign is helping get the vital extra vaccines in Brits' arms to ward off the need for any new restrictions.
Amid the new "Omicron wave", the Government says you must self-isolate for 10 full days, starting the day after your symptoms start.
However, in a rule change that came into force this week, a person can leave isolation if they get two negative lateral flow test results on day six and seven (with 24 hours between), and if they do not have a high temperature.
But what do you do if your self-isolation period reaches 10 days, and you’re still producing positive results?
This will be the concern for many who are desperate to get out of the house and meet with others, or simply experience freedom.
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The Government does not give clear cut rules for if you are still testing positive following the ten-day isolation period.
It says “if both your LFD test results are negative, it is likely that you were not infectious at the time the tests were taken” – but does not clarify if you are infectious if tests are positive.
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Speaking to The Sun, Dr Nathan, an A&E doctor in London, who posts about lateral flow results on his Instagram (@expedition_doctor), said whether or not you leave self-isolation mostly comes down how well you feel.
He said: “You can stop isolating once your 10 day isolation period is over, as long as you feel better and do not have any symptoms.
"However, if you are feeling unwell or have a high temperature still, you should continue to self isolate and seek medical advice.”
The only symptoms that the Government allows you to leave self-isolation with are a cough or change in smell or taste.
“These two symptoms may persist for some weeks even though you are no longer infectious,” Dr Nathan said.
“You do not need a negative PCR or LFT in addition to the above criteria to stop isolating.”
Covid tests look for particles of the virus in the body, but do not necessarily say you are infectious.
Dr Nathan said: “PCR tests can stay positive up to 90 days after having Covid, and you should not take one unless you develop symptoms again, you have a positive LFT, or you need one for travel.
"Any positive PCR regardless of the 90 days guidance means you should complete 10 days self isolation.
“LFTs are less likely to stay positive after the infectious period is over, and they can continue to be used as recommended.”
The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, the US national public health agency, gives a reassuring message.
It says: “Available data suggest that patients with mild-to-moderate Covid-19 remain infectious no longer than 10 days after symptom onset.
“Patients who have recovered from COVID-19 can continue to have detectable SARS-CoV-2 RNA in upper respiratory specimens for up to three months after illness onset in concentrations considerably lower than during illness.
“However, replication-competent virus has not been reliably recovered and infectiousness is unlikely.”
It added that most patients with more severe or critical illness or those who are severely immunocompromised can be infectious for up to 20 days – but likely no more.
The statements mean that, for the large majority, leaving self-isolation with positive lateral flow tests is safe.
But there will be a very small number of people who could still be infectious, so it’s up to you if you decide to be a little more cautious while those test results are positive.
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