If you have Coronavirus symptoms
If you have symptoms
You should read the NHS Inform advice about self-isolation and testing and tell your manager immediately.
If you need to self-isolate
This should be for a maximum of ten days, although you may be able to work from home during that time. However, if you return two consecutive negative Lateral Flow Device (LFD) tests taken at least 24-hours apart with the first test no earlier than day six, you may end isolation before the end of the ten days as long as you haven't had a fever for 48 hours (which is a temperature of 38 degrees or above). Keep in touch with your manager, and if your condition deteriorates contact your GP or NHS 24 on 111. You can also read more in our Coronavirus absence guidance.
Testing
I have symptoms of COVID-19, do I need to book a PCR test or do an LFD test?
PCR and LFD tests work in different ways to identify people who have a COVID-19 infection. If you have any symptoms – a new continuous cough, high temperature or loss/change of taste/smell - you should book a PCR test as soon as a slot is available.
What are LFD tests for?
- You should use an LFD test twice a week and prior to travelling and socialising with non-household members and vulnerable individuals.
- LFDs can be used to end isolation early for a positive case if you return two consecutive negative LFD tests taken at least 24 hours apart with the first test no earlier than day six and provided you haven't had a fever for 48 hours (which is a temperature of 38 degrees or above).
- They can provide a safe alternative to isolation if you're a contact who has received your booster vaccination, or you're aged under 18 years and 4 months. You'll no longer have to isolate, but can use daily LFDs for seven days to keep checking for any infection that may be incubating.
If I have symptoms, does my household need to isolate whilst I wait my PCR results?
Some of your household may need to isolate if they're not fully vaccinated. However, if they are:
- a fully vaccinated adult or
- under 18 years and 4 months,
then they don't need to isolate as long as they continue to return daily negative LFDs - until the test result is received and follow appropriate guidance thereafter.
My PCR was positive, what should members of my household do?
- All household members who have symptoms should isolate immediately and book a PCR test.
- Fully vaccinated household members (three doses with a final dose at least 14 days ago) and household members aged under 18 years and 4 months may take seven, daily LFD tests as an alternative to isolation - so long as they don't have symptoms and test negative each day.
- Anyone aged over 18 years 4 months who has less than three vaccine doses should book a PCR test and, even if negative, isolate for ten days.
I have a continuous cough but can’t get a PCR slot – what do I do?
You may have to wait a little longer than you normally would, given the demand. You should keep trying as new slots become available on the booking portal throughout the day. We’ve prioritised essential workers for on-site appointments, as well as those at highest risk and eligible for new treatments. You should continue to self-isolate until you receive your PCR test result.
How long will it be before I get my PCR test results?
Test results are usually returned within 24 to 48 hours, however during times of high demand turnaround times are generally within 72 hours.
I have tested positive on a LFD test but have no symptoms, do I need a follow up PCR?
Given the current high incidence and prevalence rates, there's no longer a requirement to book a PCR test to confirm the LFD positive result. You should only book a confirmatory PCR if the individual, parent/guardian or carer is planning on applying for the Self-Isolation Support Grant. Eligibility for the grant is that a person earns less than the real living wage, is asked by Test and Protect to isolate, and will lose income as a result of isolating.
Where can I get LFD tests?
LFD tests can be collected at a local pharmacy, library, collection point, regional and local test sites, and can also be ordered online for home delivery.
Do I have to report my LFD positive result?
Yes, it is crucial you report your test result online as soon as possible, positive or negative. This enables the government to understand the prevalence of COVID-19 in the country and, for those with positive results, so the correct advice can be given to you and those you’ve been in close contact with, to prevent onward spread of coronavirus. This only takes a few minutes to do and you can report tests for the current day and the previous day.
I’ve been identified as a close contact, but I’ve had a positive PCR in the last 90 days, should I test?
If you've tested positive on a PCR test within the last 90 days you should take an LFD instead of a PCR test.
All colleagues (excluding Health and Social Care)
Positive cases are advised to self-isolate for ten days. However, if you return two consecutive negative LFD tests taken at least 24 hours apart with the first test no earlier than day six, you may end isolation before the end of the ten days and if you haven't had a fever for 48 hours (which is a temperature of 38 degrees or above).
Close contacts who are fully vaccinated, having received three doses of the vaccination (plus 14 days) or are aged under 18 years and 4 months, can take daily LFD tests for seven days instead of isolation - provided the tests are negative and you remain without symptoms. If you've not received three doses of the vaccination, you will need to isolate for ten days and book a PCR test.
Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership (EHSCP) employees
Asymptomatic Testing Programme
These instructions are for EHSCP and partner organisation colleagues working in care homes, home care, reablement and social work, and their household members.
In addition to two negative LFD tests prior to returning to work, H&SC workers should continue with their standard work place testing regime, which is to undertake daily LFD tests prior to work (on working days). Colleagues are reminded to record results (positive, negative and void) on the portal Welcome - COVID Testing Portal (service-now.com).
In the event a colleague tests LFD positive after day ten, they should stay off work and continue to take daily LFD tests until they have one negative test. If this situation of testing LFD positive prolongs, then a risk assessment by the Local Health Protection Team can be undertaken.
Colleagues who can return should not work with individuals on the highest clinical risk list for the remainder of the ten days. The highest clinical risk groups include:
- individuals on chemotherapy,
- those who are immune-suppressants such as pre/immediately post-transplant,
- those who have profound immune-deficiency and
- other high clinical risk patients who are not vaccinated.
This list is not exhaustive and local line managers may determine other groups as fitting within the high clinical risk category. Colleagues can however be asked to return to work in roles to care for and support people who are not deemed at high clinical risk.
Colleagues should not return to work in the following circumstances
- they have not had two negative LFD tests taken 24 hours apart,
- they have, or have had, a fever (a temperature of 38 degrees or above) within the previous 48 hours,
- they decline to take daily LFD tests for the remainder of the ten days. In this circumstance they should not return to work in a physical setting and instead if feasible work from home until day ten.
Fully vaccinated contacts
This applies to all H&SC colleagues who are identified as a contact (both household and non-household) of a positive COVID-19 case and are fully vaccinated (double vaccinated and have received booster doses 14 days prior to last exposure of case).
If a colleague is a contact of a case, they should undertake a PCR test, as soon as possible, upon finding out they are a contact. They should not attend health or social care settings for work while awaiting the results of the PCR test.
If the PCR test is negative they'll not have to self-isolate and will be able to return to work within these settings. However as an additional safeguard, they'll also need to take daily LFD tests for the remainder of the ten days. If an LFD test is positive, or the individual develops symptoms within the ten-day period, they must follow the self-isolation guidance. Colleagues are reminded to record results (positive and negative) on the portal Welcome - COVID Testing Portal (service-now.com)
After ten days, colleagues should continue to take an LFD test prior to each working day as per their workplace testing regime.
To summarise, colleagues can return to work where the following conditions are met.
- They have been double-vaccinated and have received a COVID-19 booster vaccination at least 14 days prior to the last exposure to the case.
- They have had a negative PCR test where the test is taken as soon as possible after exposure.
- They have negative LFD tests on a daily basis.
- They're not currently self-isolating as a COVID-19 case or under international travel regulations.
- They do not have COVID-19 symptoms.
If a colleague has previously tested positive by PCR for COVID-19 they should continue to LFD test. The previous requirement of not having to LFD test within 90 days of a positive test no longer applies.