Matt Hancock tells Peston: Test and trace could result in repeated self-isolation.

[2greys]

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has admitted people could end up repeatedly in self-isolation even if they have had coronavirus when test and trace is launch on Thursday in England.

Speaking to ITV's Peston programme, Mr Hancock explained that due to the number of unknowns still related to coronavirus, quarantining is the safest option, even if someone has already had the respiratory disease, due to the lack of definitive knowledge about antibodies and whether they make you immune from further infection or able to pass the illness on to others.

Asked if some who had recovered from coronavirus would need to self-isolate, Mr Hancock said: "Yes, including me.

itv.com/news/2020-05-27/pes...

[2greys]

Home arrest without proof!!!!

A very real scenario.

My partner works in a nursing home where Covid-19 infected residents live/die. The nature of her work brings her into close proximity of the infected residents. So by Matt Hancock's definition she will only be able to go to work for one day then be isolated for fourteen days, rinse and repeat. How stupid is that? Another ill thought out Gov. policy. I can then see that carers/NHS will then be given exemption, rising to another unequal, one rule for them and another rule for the rest.

[Troilus in reply to 2greys]

I think that will have to happen, 2greys. But for the rest of the population, although it may be inconvenient ( to say the least), it is probably a necessary evil. It is known that people who have had the virus, although possibly immune themselves, can still spread the virus.

I think part of the problem with interviews like this is a question is asked, and answered, (or not), but the questioner rarely follows up to request the detail. Once they have got their controversial sound bite they move on, to look for another.

[2greys in reply to Troilus]

You need to be infected to be contagious. If you are immune then you cannot be contagious. Despite continued close exposure to Covid-19 patients, Sharon has not caught it again and neither have I.

[Troilus in reply to 2greys]

I didn’t realise that. I understood that antibodies lead to immunity but I thought that you then became a carrier. Time they rolled out the antibody tests in earnest then.

[2greys in reply to Troilus]

Yes it is, but only for frontline NHS staff and carers at first. We will have to wait.

[Troilus in reply to 2greys]

At least your wife will know for sure that she has antibodies and that in turn will be good news for you knowing she is safe from it and also that she cannot bring it into your home.

[2greys in reply to Troilus]

That is very true, but I developed symptoms 4 days after her, so theoretically I am immune too and have not developed any symptoms since. We now share the bed again, whereas I was sleeping on the sofa beforehand. Rather peeved that sleeping apart made no difference but all is well that ends well.

[O2Trees]

Thanks 2G - thought provoking. Hope you're both ok.

[knitter]

I wondered about that as one of my daughters catches the train to work, contact...isolate...contact ....isolate .

She thinks she may have had covid, but no antibody test available yet.

I could see this track and trace working in the beginning of the outbreak as numbers of people infected would have been low ....but now , I don’t know .

[Hidden]

As far as I understand it our whole track and trace system is an expensive shambles that will not do the job. Why we didn't adopt other tried and tested systems remains a mystery, but I guess there are some people who know the reason.

[Videodragons in reply to Hidden]

Has Hancock tried to involve too many private firms, I wonder?

[Angelagone]

If you read the daily mail, the whole thing has descended into chaos before it's even got of the ground. Sadly predictable.