Test and protect - what is it, and what should you do if you test positive for COVID-19?

Information taken from www.scot.gov, NHS Inform and NHS

What is contact tracing?

Contact tracing is a process for identifying people who are at risk of developing COVID-19 because they‘ve been in close enough contact with a person who has tested positive.

These people will be given advice to help reduce the risk of spreading the virus.  Find out more about the Test and Protect scheme.

Covid-19 symptoms

What do I do if I have symptoms of Covid-19?

If you think you may have symptoms, no matter how mild, contact the NHS to arrange to be tested at NHS 111 or the Mull Medical Group (01688 302 013). In either case, please make sure that you identify yourself as a resident or visitor on Mull.

What happens if I test positive?

If you test positive, you will be put in touch with the local contact tracing team so that other close contacts can be identified.  These close contacts, as well as household contacts, will be asked to self-isolate for 14 days.

What is a close contact?

A close contact is someone who has been physically close enough to the confirmed case for a long enough period of time, that they may have had the virus transmitted to them.

What happens if I have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive?

You will be asked to self-isolate for 14 days.  This is because if you have the virus, it may take up to 14 days for it to develop into an illness (the “incubation period” of the virus).

Will I be told who the confirmed case is?

No.  If you have been identified by NHS contact tracers as having been in close contact with a person with a confirmed case, you will not be told who it is you have been in contact with.

If I'm told I've been a close contact, what happens to the rest of the people in my household?

If you do not have symptoms yourself and are self-isolating as a close contact of person who is a confirmed case, other people in your own household will not be asked to self-isolate along with you – unless they have also been in close contact with a person who is a confirmed case, which case they will informed by the NHS.

Guidance for households ...

... with possible Covid-19 infection

NHSInform offers extensive advice on what to do if you or someone in your household has Covid-19 symtoms.  Click on this link for information on:

  • What to do if you live alone
  • Being ready to self isolate if you need to - things you'll need to think about
  • how to make a household plan
  • what to do to help yourself get better
  • how to minimise infection within your home
  • how to care for elderly vulnerable people
  • cleaning your home to avoid spreading infection- what cleaning products to use, and how
  • how to dispose of waste
  • how to manage the laundry
  • what to do if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
  • what to do at the end of your 7 or 14 days of isolation

Self-isolation?

What does self-isolation mean?

Self-isolation means you should remain at home.

  • do not go to work,
  • do not go to
  • do not go to public areas
  • do not use public transport
  • do not go out to buy food or other essentials.
  • You shouldn’t go out to buy food or other essentials.

You must stay at home.

Read guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection.

Letting your employer know...

If you have been told to self isolate, you can get an Isolation note to give to your employer without needing to see your GP.