Conflicting Covid Tests... which one to go with??

[StevieBee]

Was working in Albania last week.

Negative Covid test to fly back on Friday.
Positive Day 2 test result came back yesterday (Rightangled)
Negative self test last night
Negative self test this morning

I feel absolutely fine. No message from track & trace or anyone.

They can't all be right and they can't all be wrong so the question is, which one do I go with?

[Douglas Quaid]

3 is a higher number than 1

[StevieBee]

Douglas Quaid said:

3 is a higher number than 1

Like your thinking!

[boombang]

What type of test was each?

[StevieBee]

boombang said:

What type of test was each?

First two - PCR
Last two - Lateral Flow

[Bill]

LFT have a significant false negative rate (25%+ iirc), so you need to take at least three before you can consider taking a negative LFT as remotely accurate.

[Peter911]

It's like checking weather forecast apps. you keep looking until you find one with the weather you want.

[GT03ROB]

Strictly speaking the day 2 test. NHS track & trace should have been formally notified that you came back positive from the day 2 & by now should have put or be putting everyone on your flight into quarantine. Or you can just do as most do & ignore the positive result

[Jamescrs]

You go with the PCR because the LFT is not nearly as accurate, best thing to do would be to take yourself to an NHS testing site for a further PCR test.

[Smiljan]

Isn’t your Day 2 test done through an authorised company? Would they inform whoever that you had a positive result?

[StevieBee]

Yeah - I kind of knew the answer. Have to go with the Day 2 test as that's the one that's 'official' isn't it?

PIA.

Woman on the plane in front of me had what I thought at the time was an upset stomach but pretty certain she had it! The Covid tests they do in Albania that permit you to fly home aren't exactly what you'd call 'thorough'! Went a few weeks back too and the test I had then I cannot say for certain involved the swab actually touching anything!!

[BabySharkDooDooDooDooDooDoo]

Do you still have to do the tests if injected now? I thought the rules had changed despite still being able to catch/pass it.

[StevieBee]

BabySharkDooDooDooDooDooDoo said:

Do you still have to do the tests if injected now? I thought the rules had changed despite still being able to catch/pass it.

Starts beginning of October.

Had I travelled then, I would only have needed the test to return in the country but not the 2 or 8 day test when I got back so nobody would have been the wiser.

[GT03ROB]

StevieBee said:

BabySharkDooDooDooDooDooDoo said:

Do you still have to do the tests if injected now? I thought the rules had changed despite still being able to catch/pass it.

Starts beginning of October.

Had I travelled then, I would only have needed the test to return in the country but not the 2 or 8 day test when I got back so nobody would have been the wiser.

I think in the new system it will be a day 2 but no test to return.

[Rushjob]

GT03ROB said:

I think in the new system it will be a day 2 but no test to return.

Yep, no fit to fly/drive from 4/10 but as said day 2 still required.

[Chromegrill]

Positive PCR trumps negative LFD - someone who is infected on the plane for instance would expect to find their PCR would turn positive sooner and with a far lower amount of virus than what would trigger a positive LFD. I would hope that NHS Test and Trace by now would have contacted you about the need (which is a legal requirement) to self isolate for ten days.

[Matt_E_Mulsion]

When Covid got hold of us in late July I had a positive lateral flow and my Mrs had a negative lateral flow. The next morning we both had PCR tests, they both came back positive. I don't think the lateral flows are that reliable.

[StevieBee]

Chromegrill said:

Positive PCR trumps negative LFD - someone who is infected on the plane for instance would expect to find their PCR would turn positive sooner and with a far lower amount of virus than what would trigger a positive LFD. I would hope that NHS Test and Trace by now would have contacted you about the need (which is a legal requirement) to self isolate for ten days.

Well, here's the thing. I've had two messages from NHS T&T saying that I have been in contact with someone with Covid but nothing asking me to isolate as a result of the positive result. The form I filled in on the first message said I didn't have to isolate but it doesn't know that I'm positive. All very odd!

Two more LF tests showing negative.

Still feeling fine.

Might book in for another PCR.

[StevieBee]

Quick update.

Never received a message from NHS T&T re my positive result.

Received a message to say I was in contact with someone with Covid but I didn't have to isolate.

Drive through NHS PCR test on Friday came back negative.

Strikes me that something's not working as it should.