PCR test to travel after having Covid

dantheman8t5

Hi,

I’ve just completed my 10 days self isolation after getting Covid. And have also been double jabbed. 

I had a follow up PCR test yesterday which is still showing positive, but rapid antigen tests are showing negative.

I’m due to go to Spain on 3rd August, and now just a bit concerned that I may continue to test positive on a PCR test before travelling, as this can continue for weeks.

Has anyone else had this situation, and is there a way around it? Or will I need to think about rearranging my trip?

Thanks in advance
Daniel

Nebulous2

It's certainly possible to keep testing positive after having had Covid, as you can shed viral material which is no longer infective. In my previous job testing was required for some situations, but after having Covid we were not allowed to have a PCR test for some time (90 days if I recall) 

It isn't common though - earlier on before this was recognised staff were being retested before being allowed back to work, and most of them showed clear and got back around the 2-3 week mark. I do remember one member of staff being up to double figures in tests before getting back. 

What do you need for testing while you are there / on return?

I'd be concerned about getting a negative test now and then a positive later causing quarantine / isolation issues. 

dantheman8t5

I’ll need to do a pre-departure PCR test at the airport, then an antigen test before flying home. Once I get back, I’d then need a further PCR test 2 days after returning home

Ben1989

It's not very comforting knowing people are still catching covid even when double jabbed. Sorry to go off on a side note here How were you?

movilogo

Ben1989 said:

It's not very comforting knowing people are still catching covid even when double jabbed. Sorry to go off on a side note here How were you?

Why? The vaccine only reduce the impact of Covid - it does not prevent you from getting infected nor stops spreading infections.

sheramber

Ben1989 said:

It's not very comforting knowing people are still catching covid even when double jabbed. Sorry to go off on a side note here How were you?

How many fully vaccinated people are asymptomatic  so are not tested and will not know they have it?

That is why testing is required when arriving back from abroad, even if vaccinated.

Ben1989

movilogo said:

Ben1989 said:

It's not very comforting knowing people are still catching covid even when double jabbed. Sorry to go off on a side note here How were you?

Why? The vaccine only reduce the impact of Covid - it does not prevent you from getting infected nor stops spreading infections.

The vaccine stopped over 90% of transmissions with the Alpha variant. The Delta variant is significantly more transmissible and more resistant to the vaccine. This puts more people in hospital and when we're hitting 100,000 per day in a few weeks we'll be a petri dish for different (potentially even worse) variants.

lisyloo

sheramber said:

Ben1989 said:

It's not very comforting knowing people are still catching covid even when double jabbed. Sorry to go off on a side note here How were you?

How many fully vaccinated people are asymptomatic  so are not tested and will not know they have it?

That is why testing is required when arriving back from abroad, even if vaccinated.

Surely some should be doing lateral flow tests e.g. those going into workplaces?

sheramber

lisyloo said:

sheramber said:

Ben1989 said:

It's not very comforting knowing people are still catching covid even when double jabbed. Sorry to go off on a side note here How were you?

How many fully vaccinated people are asymptomatic  so are not tested and will not know they have it?

That is why testing is required when arriving back from abroad, even if vaccinated.

Surely some should be doing lateral flow tests e.g. those going into workplaces?

Many people are still working from home.

What people should do and what they do are two entirely different  things.

la_gusanita

dantheman8t5 said:

I’m due to go to Spain on 3rd August, and now just a bit concerned that I may continue to test positive on a PCR test before travelling, as this can continue for weeks.

How did it go please?  We're in a similar situation and going away this weekend.

Last week 119 told me that my husband and I didn't need to do a PCR test day 2 as we are both fully jabbed and in recovery - if we download the NHS app and Covid Pass. (After a 20 minute hold while they verified this)  I then tried to find out about my 11yr old son (119 couldn't answer the question) - but it seems he is too young for a covid pass or nhs app and can't link his medical records on my app to show he's had covid as proof - and now Test and Trace are telling me that we actually all have to do the PCR day 2 after all.  Very frustrated!

I was pleased last week that I didn't have to spend the money on the PCR tests for at least 2 of the 5 of us, but looks like I'll have to anyway and then possibly plead with Public Health England if we do get false positives to then not have to isolate.  What a waste of time, money and resources.

silvercar

Before your return, you will have to buy day 2 PCR tests in order to be allowed to travel. I would buy the cheapest you can find. Once home phone 119 again for advice. If they say you don’t need to take the tests, you can leave them unused. If they say take them then you will have to do so. if you test positive, test and trace will be on the phone to you and you can ask again to be excused isolation, that they may or may not agree to. Hopefully they won’t force people on your flight who are over 18 but not double jabbed into isolation, but it is a risk for them.