What to Do if Your Family Member Tests Positive for Covid

Coronavirus (COVID-xix): Guidance for individuals with possible coronavirus infection

Self-isolating when you are asked to is the best way to forestall the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). It's very of import that you stay at home (self-isolate) if:

you have symptoms of coronavirus
you've had a positive lateral menstruum device (LFD) or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test result
you've been told to self-isolate considering y'all're a close contact of a positive example

When and how long to self-isolate due to coronavirus

Use this guide to find out if you demand to cocky-isolate and for how long.

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What are the symptoms of coronavirus?

The most common symptoms are new:

continuous cough
fever/loftier temperature (37.8C or greater)
loss of, or modify in, sense of smell or sense of taste (anosmia)

A new continuous cough is where you:

have a new cough that's lasted for an hr
have had three or more episodes of cough in 24 hours
are coughing more than usual

A loftier temperature is feeling hot to the affect your chest or back (you don't demand to measure out your temperature). You may feel warm, cold or shivery.

Self-isolation if y'all have coronavirus

If you accept symptoms, you should self-isolate immediately and book a PCR test. If yous test positive, you should self-isolate for 10 days from the appointment your symptoms started.

If you've had a positive PCR or LFD test result but no symptoms, yous should self-isolate for x days from the engagement of your examination. You may proceed to develop symptoms over the next few days, but you don't need a confirmatory PCR test, unless brash by a clinician, and you don't need to re-start your isolation period. If you develop whatsoever of the chief symptoms of coronavirus and you are concerned, or your symptoms are worsening, phone 111 or speak to your GP. In an emergency phone 999.

Yous may nonetheless have a cough or loss of, or change in, sense of odor or taste for several weeks. People with symptoms are very unlikely to infect others after the 10th twenty-four hours of disease. Once you've completed your ten day self-isolation, you can return to work and your usual activities (regardless of your LFD result) as long equally you feel better and do not have a high temperature. You must continue to follow the Scottish Regime's coronavirus advice.

Catastrophe self-isolation early

You lot may be able to end self-isolation early if you have 2 negative LFD test results in a row from day half-dozen onwards, taken 24 hours apart. For case, a negative LFD test result on day half dozen and 7, day 7 and eight, or day 8 and ix. You should report your LFD test event subsequently taking each exam, regardless of the result. To be able to terminate cocky-isolation, you should as well make sure you:

do not take a high temperature
follow the guidance for staying safe when yous've concluded self-isolation

You should not take an LFD test before day half dozen of your cocky-isolation catamenia.

You should only cease cocky-isolation after 2 negative LFD test results in a row.

This guidance applies regardless of age, vaccination condition or previous infection.

If you lot continue to examination positive on LFD tests, or choose not to take LFD tests to end self-isolation early, you can return to work and your usual activities on the 11th day after your symptoms started, as long as you feel better and do non have a loftier temperature.

If you're still testing positive during a period of isolation and, rightly, reporting the positive test results, yous'll receive repeated isolation information from Examination and Protect. You lot should not restart your isolation catamenia, instead, you should continue to follow the communication y'all received post-obit your first positive test.

Support bachelor

If y'all're told to self-isolate by Test and Protect yous may be eligible for a £500 Self-Isolation Support Grant. If you have tested positive on a LFD test, you need a confirmatory positive PCR test result to apply for the grant.

Book a PCR exam

National Assistance Helpline

If your friends or family unit are non able to aid, phone the National Assistance Helpline (0800 111 4000).

This helpline is only for those who have to stay at home but tin can't get the help they need through friends or family.

If you've tested positive in the concluding 28 days

If you lot've tested positive, yous should pause routine LFD testing for 28 days after cocky-isolating. Count the 28 days from the day your symptoms started, or the date of your positive test if you didn't accept symptoms. If y'all're identified every bit a close contact during this fourth dimension, you practise not need to exam or cocky-isolate as long as you practice not take whatsoever new symptoms, regardless of vaccination condition. If you do develop new symptoms, self-isolate and book a PCR test.

Self-isolation if you're a close contact

Y'all may be a shut contact if yous:

live with someone who has tested positive – for example you lot sleep in the same dwelling or live in shared accommodation like academy halls
have spent eight hours or more in the domicile of the person who has tested positive during their infectious menstruation – for example a sleepover
are a cleaner (non using PPE) who cleans the home of the person who has tested positive, even if you lot did not spend fourth dimension with them
take had face-to-face up contact less than 1 metre apart from the person who has tested positive for whatever length of time
take had whatsoever contact less than 1 metre apart from the person who tested positive for i minute or longer
have been within ii metres of the person who tested positive for more than than 15 minutes
car-shared with the person who tested positive

If y'all live with someone who tests positive, yous should follow the guidance for close contacts from when their symptoms started, or from when they tested positive if they don't accept symptoms.

If y'all're not sure if you're a shut contact, or if yous need advice about shut contacts, you can call the National Contact Tracing Heart on 0800 030 8012. Interpreter services and contactScotland-BSL are available.

The infectious period is whatsoever fourth dimension from 2 days before any 1 of the three main symptoms starts and upwardly to 10 days after. If the person who tested positive does not have symptoms, their close contacts are counted from two days before the appointment of their positive test and up to x days subsequently.

Close contacts who are fully vaccinated

If you're a shut contact who is fully vaccinated, yous can take daily LFD tests instead of self-isolating. Fully vaccinated ways you've received 3 doses of an approved vaccine at least fourteen days before yous last saw the person who tested positive. If you live with the person who tested positive, the 14 days is counted from the day their symptoms started, or 14 days before they tested positive if they don't accept symptoms. The daily LFD tests should exist taken for seven days in a row or until the terminate of your ten day self-isolation period, whichever is soonest.

As a close contact, if you lot develop the master symptoms of coronavirus you should immediately cocky-isolate and book a PCR test. If this is negative go on to take daily LFD tests for seven days or the elapsing of your cocky-isolation catamenia which ever is soonest. If this is positive then you need to self-isolate for ten days from when your symptoms started. You may be able to end cocky-isolation early.

If any of your LFD tests are positive, you should self-isolate for 10 days from the date of your positive test upshot. Yous practice non need to book a follow-up PCR test to ostend your positive LFD result.

Close contacts who are non fully vaccinated

If yous're a shut contact who is not fully vaccinated, y'all should self-isolate for x days and book a PCR test. Even if your test event is negative, you lot should complete the x day cocky-isolation.

If you've had a positive PCR test upshot in the terminal 90 days, you do not need to book another PCR test unless you develop new symptoms.

If you lot cannot exist vaccinated for medical reasons, you lot should follow the guidance for shut contacts who are fully vaccinated.

If yous're taking function in a registered clinical vaccine trial which means you cannot exist fully vaccinated, you can follow the guidance for fully vaccinated close contacts.

Shut contacts aged under 18 years and 4 months

Close contacts aged nether eighteen years and 4 months tin take daily LFD tests instead of self-isolating. The daily LFD tests should exist taken for seven days in a row or until the end of your ten twenty-four hours cocky-isolation flow, whichever is soonest.

Every bit a close contact, if you develop the main symptoms of coronavirus yous should immediately self-isolate and book a PCR test. If this is negative keep to accept daily LFD tests for 7 days or the elapsing of your cocky-isolation flow which ever is soonest. If this is positive then you need to cocky-isolate for 10 days from when your symptoms started. You may be able to end cocky-isolation early.

If whatsoever of your LFD tests are positive, you should self-isolate for 10 days from the date of your positive test result. You do not need to book a follow-up PCR test to confirm your positive LFD result.

'Low risk' contacts aged under eighteen years and four months

You may receive a notification to tell yous that you or your child is a 'low risk' contact. Notifications are ordinarily sent by schools or nurseries to children who have shared a classroom with someone who has tested positive.

Depression risk contacts practice not need to self-isolate, volume a PCR test or accept daily LFD tests. They should follow the advice in the notification to accept extra precautions, including regular LFD testing.

Children under 5

Children under five who are close contacts do not demand to self-isolate or take daily LFD tests, but are recommended to take a test.

If the child under 5 has symptoms or develops symptoms and then they should take a PCR test.

If you're unable to take LFD tests for a medical reason

If you or someone you treat is identified as a contact but take been advised by a medical professional person that you or they are unable to do take LFD tests for a medical reason, this should exist discussed with Examination and Protect when they contact y'all.

Staying prophylactic if you've ended self-isolation

If you're someone who can end self-isolation, you lot should:

limit shut contact with other people outside your household, especially in enclosed spaces, for 10 days
vesture a confront covering in enclosed spaces and where yous cannot maintain physical distancing
limit contact with anyone who is at highest risk for 10 days
non visit people in care homes, hospitals, prisons or other detention centres for 10 days, unless essential and agreed with staff in advance
continue to take part in twice weekly lateral flow device (LFD) testing after the 10 days

If you've tested positive, count the 10 days from the date your symptoms started, or the date of your test if you practice not take symptoms. If you're a close contact, count the 10 days from the date of your last contact with the positive case.

How to self-isolate

Do

enquire others for assist to make certain you can stay at dwelling
ask your employer, friends or family unit to help you lot go the things you need
stay at least two metres (nigh iii steps) away from other people in your home whenever possible
sleep lonely if possible
wash your hands with soap and water for xx seconds regularly
stay away from the elderly and those with underlying health conditions as much as possible
consider whether older people and those with underlying health conditions can stay in another firm while you need to stay at home
contact carers to tell them you're self-isolating and then they can follow the correct procedures to prevent spread of the infection
proceed in touch with friends and family past phone or through social media
postpone any non-essential healthcare appointments – for instance medical, dental or optician appointments

Self-isolation means yous should stay at home. You shouldn't go to work, schoolhouse, public areas or use public transport. You lot shouldn't get out to purchase nutrient or other essentials.

Avoid close contact with others by:

non having visitors
not using taxis or public transport
request a friend or neighbor to get your shopping or arranging for a delivery to exist left at your door
not sharing towels, dress, toothbrushes or razors

What y'all can practise to help yourself get ameliorate

Read our advice on treating coronavirus symptoms at habitation

Launder your easily regularly

Wash your hands with soap and h2o for xx seconds regularly. This volition help protect you and others around y'all from passing on whatever infection. You can also employ an alcohol-based mitt sanitiser if your hands aren't visibly dirty.

Dry out your hands using a separate towel from other people.

Avoid touching your optics, nose and mouth.

Encompass your coughs and sneezes

Cover your nose and mouth with disposable tissues when you cough or sneeze. If you lot don't have a tissue, cough into the crook of your elbow and not in your hand.

Dispose of your tissues in a disposable rubbish bag and launder your hands immediately with lather and water or use a hand sanitiser.

Stay away from others

Split up yourself from other people in your habitation and keep the door airtight. If you tin't stay in a separate room, try to stay 2 metres (3 steps) away from the other people.

Stay in a well-ventilated room with a window that can exist opened. Try to keep the window open up equally much as possible to help with ventilation and air flow. This will help to keep make clean air moving through your room.

Each person should:

slumber in a different bed where possible
utilize their ain toothbrushes, towels, linen, cups, plates, bowls and cutlery
accept meals to their own room to eat

Shared living spaces

Spend as niggling time as possible in your kitchen, bathrooms and sitting areas and keep these areas well ventilated. This is peculiarly important if y'all, or your family members, are at higher risk.

If you can, use a separate bath from the rest of the household. If you share a kitchen, avert using it while others are nowadays.

If you share a toilet and bathroom wipe any surfaces you come in contact with and clean it after every apply.

Use a dishwasher if you have one. If y'all don't take a dishwasher, wash your plates and cutlery using washing up liquid and warm water. And so dry them thoroughly with a divide tea towel.

Collecting shopping and prescriptions

If possible, ask a friend or family unit member to run errands on your behalf. For example buying groceries, picking up prescriptions or walking your dog.

You can also club your shopping online, but inquire them to go out items outside or by your front door. The delivery driver should not come up into your home.

Pharmacies can often suit to deliver echo prescriptions if you run out while you lot remain at domicile. Other people tin collect a prescription on your behalf.

Cleaning products

Clean all surfaces every day with a household cleaner that's active confronting viruses and bacteria. Pay special attention to often touched areas. Usual household products like detergents and bleach are effective.

Wash your hands with soap and water after cleaning surfaces and handling vesture and bedding.

Waste disposal

You lot can put personal waste matter (such as used tissues) and disposable cleaning cloths in disposable rubbish bags. These should exist:

placed into some other bag
tied securely
kept carve up from other waste in your room
put aside for at least 72 hours earlier being put in your usual external household waste bin

Other household waste can be disposed of as normal.

Laundry

Don't shake muddy laundry equally this can spread the virus through the air.

Wash laundry using the highest temperature setting on the label. Where possible, launder laundry separately from other people living in your household.

If you don't have a washing machine, wait a farther 3 days afterwards your cocky-isolation period has concluded to take your laundry to a launderette.

If y'all live with someone at higher chance

Family unit members at higher adventure should spend every bit little fourth dimension as possible in shared spaces such equally kitchens, bathrooms and sitting areas. You should proceed these spaces well ventilated.

The person at higher risk should, where possible:

go on ii metres (3 steps) away from you and others in your household
slumber in a unlike bed
utilise a separate bathroom from the residual of the household
employ separate towels from the other people in your house
take their meals back to their room to swallow

The remainder of the household should:

clean whatsoever shared toilets and bathrooms every fourth dimension you use them, for case wiping surfaces you have come into contact with
consider drawing up a rota for bathing, with the higher gamble person using the facilities first
avert using the kitchen while they are present.
use a dishwasher to clean and dry the family's used crockery and cutlery
wash them using your usual washing up liquid and warm water if you don't have a dishwasher
dry all crockery and cutlery thoroughly, and use a split up tea towel if the higher hazard person is using their own utensils

If you live with a higher risk person and it's non possible to physically distance from them, phone the National Assistance Helpline (0800 111 4000) to discuss your needs.

Belatedly stages of pregnancy

If you recollect y'all're in labour, phone your maternity unit and tell them you recall you lot're in labour simply have been self-isolating. They'll be able to advise you what to exercise next.

We have more detailed coronavirus guidance for people who are pregnant

Breastfeeding

Read our advice on breastfeeding if you have coronavirus

Face masks

If y'all have a carer who visits your home, they demand to vesture protective equipment to reduce the chance of infection. It'south recommended you wear a face mask likewise.

If necessary, your local carer's centre can provide protective equipment to your carer.

Detect a carer centre in your area

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Source: https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/coronavirus-covid-19/test-and-protect/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-individuals-with-possible-coronavirus-infection