Positive Covid test after full recovery?

[Playin Pickleball]

Has anyone who is fully vaccinated gotten Covid-19, recovered from it, but then months later tested positive and had trouble boarding their ship?

 

Just read today that it's quite possible to have a positive Covid-19 test months after recovery. Since cruises require a negative test, does anyone know if they would take a doctor's certification that you were vaccinated when you got it but have fully recovered from it?

 

Here's a link to article that talks about why some people still have a positive test result months after recovery. 

https://wi.mit.edu/news/new-research-reveals-why-some-patients-may-test-positive-covid-19-long-after-recovery

[TiogaCruiser]

Interesting article. I was aware the test can be positive for 10-12 weeks in some cases. For that reason, the jurisdiction I worked for recommended employers NOT require testing after recovery. I’m not sure what the current recommendation is.
 

If one is concerned, and there is a choice of tests, it might be better to take an antigen test.

[Mary229]

That is the PCR test which has proven to be problematic.  

[dfish]

From the Health and Protocols FAQ:

 

Exceptions may apply for fully vaccinated asymptomatic guests that have tested positive for COVID-19 in the 90 days prior to embarkation, and are fully recovered. Guests will need to provide a letter of recovery from their doctor and, laboratory test results that are not older than 90 days.

 

https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/worry-free-promise/travel-well/frequently-asked-questions/faq-for-cruises-from-usa.html

[Playin Pickleball]

1 minute ago, dfish said:

From the Health and Protocols FAQ:

 

Exceptions may apply for fully vaccinated asymptomatic guests that have tested positive for COVID-19 in the 90 days prior to embarkation, and are fully recovered. Guests will need to provide a letter of recovery from their doctor and, laboratory test results that are not older than 90 days.

 

https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/worry-free-promise/travel-well/frequently-asked-questions/faq-for-cruises-from-usa.html

 

Dfish: thank you very much for showing me this.

 

[dfish]

Just now, Playin Pickleball said:

 

Dfish: thank you very much for showing me this.

 

My pleasure!  I was happy that HAL recognized the problem and had a solution for it.

[igraf]

15 hours ago, Mary229 said:

That is the PCR test which has proven to be problematic.  

 

False positives have been a problem with LFT tests in Britain, as opposed to the PCR tests.  Of greater concern are false negatives, which are more prevalent, as this allows actively infected passengers on to the ship. 

 

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2021-10-covid-people-positive-lateral-negative.html

 

Previously infection or vaccination does not preclude a new infection (just less sickness), and so the reported "false positive" tests may have been accurate.

 

igraf

 

 

 

[OlsSalt]

Magic 8 ball give the best answer. Situation cloudy.

[amoba]

Hi, 

Holland America's  FAQs states: 

Documentation of Recovery consists of the following: 

Paper or electronic copies of the positive viral test result from a certified laboratory (dated no more than 90 days ago), or 

A valid digital COVID-19 Certificate (DCC) or a document issued by a health or government authority showing confirmed previous infection.
Guest who present these documents will need to go through a secondary screening at the terminal, and boarding will be approved at the medical staff’s discretion.

Does anyone have experience with this or know what the secondary screening consists of?  If someone is, appears, or feels fully recovered, can they count on being allowed to board?  Any tips for handling this?  Thanks!

[fkfad]

13 hours ago, amoba said:

Does anyone have experience with this or know what the secondary screening consists of?  If someone is, appears, or feels fully recovered, can they count on being allowed to board?  Any tips for handling this?  Thanks!

These are all good questions which I am curious about as well!  Our cruise is out of Amsterdam, which means we are flying to Europe a couple of days after our (hopefully negative) test.  We had Covid six weeks ago (both confirmed via a positive test), and are fully recovered.  We have taken several home tests which now come up negative, however, we have not taken the HAL-required test.  My plan is to get the "OK to travel, fully recovered" certificate on the same day we get tested just in case.  Our primary care physician confirmed that we could test positive three months after having been infected, even though we are no longer symptomatic or carrying the active virus...  Ugh!