COVID isolation question

[TheBinarySheep]

On Friday evening we received an email from the school to say that our oldest child must isolate along with the whole of year 3 because his teacher has been confirmed as having COVID. The problem is, that's the only information we've been given and searching online I seem to be getting mixed results.

My understanding so far is that as long as our 7 year old isn't showing any symptoms then my wife is fine to go to work and our 2 year old is allowed to go to nursery. Some websites I've found say that the whole household need to isolate.

My question is, let us say that our 7 year has brought COVID home with him but either is not showing any symptoms or maybe won't ever show any symptoms. Is he only contagious once he's showing symptoms? If he can be contagious without showing symptoms then that means that my wife, our 2 year and myself are potentially spreading the virus more by not isolating?

So, I don't know whether we also need to isolate as well or not? If we don't, and it turns out that one of us does start showing symptoms, have we then been spreading it before the symptoms appeared?

It's either all very confusing, or I'm just being a bit dumb!

Edited by TheBinarySheep on Sunday 20th September 11:58

[Ron99]

TheBinarySheep said:

1
My question is, let us say that our 7 year has brought COVID home with him but either is not showing any symptoms or maybe won't ever show any symptoms. Is he only contagious once he's showing symptoms?

2.
If he can be contagious without showing symptoms then that means that my wife, our 2 year and myself are potentially spreading the virus more by not isolating?

In answer to #1, it is possible for people to have the virus and not show symptoms or to have only very mild symptoms.

In answer to #2, it's possible your whole family already has the virus yet show few or no symptoms but still spread the virus.

After exposure to the virus, it can take several days for symptoms to appear, if they appear at all. During those several days before symptoms appear it is possible to pass on the virus.


Edited to add:
Government guidance and rules have been erratic, illogical and subject to frequent changes.

Edited by Ron99 on Sunday 20th September 21:27

[Terminator X]

Isn't the new rule a £1k fine if you don't do what you are told and self isolate? All sounds a bit communist state to me but there you go, thems the rules!

TX.

[bristolbaron]

Any chance of getting to a testing station? You’d get the all clear or otherwise within a quicker timescale.

[anonymous-user]

How bad is the advice in the UK? The answer to question 1 is yes he is contagious before he shows symptoms, so 2 is also yes you can have it and be spreading it.
I'm told, by the government where I live, you are contagious for 4/5 days before you show symptoms.
That's why the countries that have been successful on managing this, are not using strict objective rules, like 6 people, but rather telling people too show common sense and look out for themselves.

[Ron99]

bristolbaron said:

Any chance of getting to a testing station? You’d get the all clear or otherwise within a quicker timescale.

If the OP's child is currently incubating but not shedding the virus, the OP might get a negative result now but become positive the day after.

[TheBinarySheep]

We've managed to speak with Nursery this morning. Our two year old has a runny nose and a cough now, so the Nursery say he isn't allowed back for 14 days unless we produce a negative test. Obviously tried to get a test, can't get one.