Just when you thought it was safe . . .

[Blaze]

@Wilbro I worked in the Urgences for a day and was surprised to see that no-one wore gloves ....

[niemeyjt]

Eldest thinks she contracted it last weekend at a wedding - and was grotty on Monday and Tuesday and now recovered.

Does anyone know how long she remains infectious? I have variously seen 3, 5 and 10 days mentioned - and my visit on Saturday would hit that 5 day mark.

[Wilbro]

I am over it now other than feeling fatigued as a result, I presume, of my body's battle with the virus. I first tested positive on the 17th although I suspect it started a few days before that as I'd felt unwell. I tested yesterday and still showing positive and will continue taking precautions until at least a negative test. @niemeyjt We also seem to find varying bits of advice regarding how long one remains infectious for so longer term caution would seem to be wise, I would hate to pass it on.

[Lori]

and my visit on Saturday would hit that 5 day mark.

I don't know if there is a definitive time period. However, day 5 (for me) would be cutting it way too close.

Glad you're feeling better Wilbro. I had lingering symptoms for weeks after I got it, but that was way back in July of 2020 (different strain).

[Blaze]

@Wilbro Good news, Wilbro, but you could test positive for up to 6 weeks but not be contagious !! The advice to heed is that of the Ministère de la santé. Doctors are giving various opinions, which are sometimes conflicting, but it isn't an exact science. As we are all different, it makes it difficult to be precise about the number of days we are contagious : it is reckoned that the incubation period, i.e. the time between being infected and actually showing symptoms, is generally from 3 to 5 days ... but it could be up to 14 days. By the time people are tested, it's probably been with them for at least a couple of days, hence the 5 to 8 day isolation period.

Our directives were taken from the Ministère de la Santé at the time, with updates every day. Whilst we would tell people they should isolate for 5 days, it was 8 if they wanted to return to work. Remember that at that time, everyone was wearing masks so even if someone was contagious after 5 days, mask wearing and other precautions would have helped prevent the spreading of the virus.

Today, the precautions recommended may be the same but common sense also plays a part, like wearing a mask when in the presence of someone vulnerable. If you don't feel 100% a week after you've tested positive, you're unlikely to want to rush around socialising anyway.

[Wilbro]

At the moment our only "socialising" will be shopping and that won't be very often. @Blaze Thanks for your post which is informative and be sure our masks will be with us when out for a little while longer to say the least despite the puzzled stares of other shoppers.

[Chappers51]

Thank goodness for this forum!

I’ve been feeling rather lethargic for a few day but put it down to the heat, especially as I’ve had no problem taking my dog out first thing. Wednesday night was awful, my body ached and I was coughing all night. Yesterday I decided to take a test and yes it’s positive. I’m not sure how I’ve caught it as I rarely go out, but I’ll stay in for a week and then take another test.

It was reading all of the comments here that convinced me to test myself, thank you.

[Bayleaf]

Sorry to hear that Chappers. Hope you get better soon. I was wondering if the current heatwave would kill off such a virus, but it seems not.

[Pathca]

I think they realised with the initial outbreak that,unlike a lot of seasonal viruses Covid doesn’t tend to die off with hot weather

[Lori]

Hope you feel better soon Chappers.

We have to do some shopping today and I kinda dread it as the cases are up and it is impossible NOT to touch things or come close to other shoppers.

Do all the pharmacies carry the Covid test kits you do yourself at home? I've never bought one, but it sounds like we should have a few at the house.

Are they the nasal swab type?