If you develop further symptoms of COVID-19, please self-isolate and re-present for testing. The evidence at present of the risk of re-infection is unclear.
This is not yet clear but, on the limited data so far, you probably have a level of protection that dwindles over time (possibly months). Whether this immunity prevents all reinfection or merely makes a second round of sickness less intense, and the period of time for which immunity lasts, depends on multiple factors, such as genetics, gender, the strength of your initial immune response, and the characteristics of the virus itself as it continues to evolve. We will update this advice as more information becomes available.
For the most accurate test result, you should apply for a test as soon as you have symptoms, to be tested in the optimum testing window. You should not be coming into work whilst awaiting the results.
This is because current evidence suggests infection declines very quickly within 7 days of symptoms. Once you have received the test result, inform your manager.
If the test is positive, please also update the COVID absence report.
Some symptoms, including a cough (but not continuous cough) and fatigue, can be ongoing for a time after the infection is over.
However if you are still experiencing a fever or a continuous cough do not come into work. Self-isolate until these symptoms have subsided for 48 hours as a precautionary measure.
The risk of reinfection is unclear, and if you re-experience a continuous cough and high temperature (that is, after 48 hours of being symptom-free), please self-isolate and re-present for testing.
Evidence shows that tests can remain positive for over 14 days after symptoms subside. At present it is unclear what this means, as more research is needed in this area. We do know that after seven days your infectiousness is low.
Retesting and isolating, awaiting a negative test, before returning to work is therefore not advised.
Those with a positive test should stay off work for seven days and return to work on day eight, providing they are well and have been afebrile for 48 hours.
If you fall within the government category for testing, then yes. Please note that the optimum time to be tested is within three days of the onset of symptoms; applying for a test as soon as you get symptoms is advised.
Further advice on eligibility can be found here:
The current test used is an antigen test, which detects viral RNA from a nose and throat swab. Due to the speed of the outbreak and the need to develop testing, there is limited data about the accuracy of the test. During the test validation, a small sample tested gave an accuracy of 100%; it is difficult to generalise this result to a large number of real-life tests.
Contributors - Cordell Health, The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), Vocational Rehabilitation Association (VRA), Professor Anne Harriss, Christine Poulter, Dr Roxane Gervais, Dr Jo Yarker, Professor Kim Burton, and Professor Ewan Macdonald, CIPD and others with expertise in Occupational Health and medicine, HR, and business.