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A different COVID-19 testing question #242639
12/15/2020 09:19 PM
12/15/2020 09:19 PM
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 298
Upstate, NY
Mikel Offline OP
Traveler
Mikel  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 298
Upstate, NY
I have a dilemma that I have not previously seen addressed here and cannot find the answer on the SXM Government page.

My wife and I have each recently tested positive and should exit our isolation periods this week. We are both currently doing fine. We have reservations in SXM starting January 8th and have previously scheduled rt-PCR testing for January 4th and we really want to go.

The problem is that our local health department says that we could continue to test positive for 90 days. Has anyone heard of this type of scenario previously. I did email the contact info page on the SXM Government site today but have no reply as yet.

Thanks for any input.

SXM Sponsors
Re: A different COVID-19 testing question [Re: Mikel] #242642
12/15/2020 09:36 PM
12/15/2020 09:36 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,466
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,466
Central Florida!
Apparently SXM does not accept proof of antibodies, so you will have to test negative. And you have already been advised you could test positive for up to 90 days. I think the resolution is that you do not know. Since you are not due to travel until January 8, you maybe should take a test in 10 days or so, just to see if you are still testing positive and possibly adjust your dates, if so.


Carol Hill
Re: A different COVID-19 testing question [Re: Mikel] #242643
12/15/2020 09:37 PM
12/15/2020 09:37 PM
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 771
P
phillygirl7 Offline
Traveler
phillygirl7  Offline
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P
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 771
Friends of mine had it and their doctor told them they were only protected for 90 days, which I thought was strange. I would continue on, get your tests, I would probably get two tests a week apart just to make sure, and then submit to EHAS (assuming negative two times). They don't ask if you already had the virus, so I think you are good to go. Some people who have a virulent strain the symptoms can last longer, but if you are feeling better and you are outside of your isolation period, I would not hesitate.

Re: A different COVID-19 testing question [Re: Mikel] #242645
12/15/2020 09:58 PM
12/15/2020 09:58 PM
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 148
ballston lake
J
johnhill Offline
Traveler
johnhill  Offline
Traveler
J
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 148
ballston lake
As I noted here on TTOL a while back, my wife and I both had covid-19 starting with positive tests 10/16/20, thankfully we had "light viral loads" and were fine in 7-10 days. We were warned by our county health department and primary doctors that; we could test positive for 8-12 weeks which would affect our annual trip to SXM 01/17/21. Our local market was offering free tests and we tested on 11/7/20 and both tested negative on the rt PCR. So 3 weeks post covid we were negative. As for the antibodies protection, I have been following studies from around the world and many people are showing antibodies still rising 6 months later. Our primary said there is no definitive study yet on how long we will be protected.
Hopefully you will test negative in a short period of time and on the way to SXM.

Re: A different COVID-19 testing question [Re: Mikel] #242647
12/15/2020 10:01 PM
12/15/2020 10:01 PM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 295
Lake Orion, MI
gomer36 Offline
Traveler
gomer36  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 295
Lake Orion, MI
The EHAS application asks if you've ever tested positive on the 2nd page...not sure if that's a deal breaker with their evaluation or not. That said, they are accepting certain rapid tests now, with the list of acceptable tests on their website. The rapid test is an antigen test, and only looks for active infection. Not the RNA "debris" or dead bits of virus left behind after you've recovered and cleared the virus...this is what an rt-PCR will often find and flag long after you've recovered and no longer infectious. Most sports now are using the rt-PCR for their daily testing, and if an athlete tests positive they use the rapid antigen to determine when he or she is safe to return to play.

Last edited by gomer36; 12/15/2020 10:08 PM.

"We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch - we are going back from whence we came." ~ John F. Kennedy
Re: A different COVID-19 testing question [Re: Mikel] #244252
01/06/2021 08:31 AM
01/06/2021 08:31 AM
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 298
Upstate, NY
Mikel Offline OP
Traveler
Mikel  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 298
Upstate, NY
Just a follow up to my original post that may be a benefit to someone.

As I had posted, my wife and I each tested positive in early December and were concerned that our scheduled PCR tests on 1/4 would be impacted by residual virus DNA. We tested Monday and received the results last night, both negative. My symptoms would probably have been considered mild and my wife's bordered on moderate. We tested 24-28 days from the start of symptoms.

We submitted the results to SXM this morning and I received my authorization in minutes. My wife's was approved about an hour later. We did state on page 2 of the application that we had previously tested positive, but they do not ask for a date.

There still is no page 3 to request the SXM insurance. We arrive Friday (1/8) and will try to get it when it becomes effective on the 11th.

We tested at Any Lab Test Now in Fort Myers, FL at an out of pocket cost of $119 each.

Re: A different COVID-19 testing question [Re: Mikel] #244253
01/06/2021 08:42 AM
01/06/2021 08:42 AM
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,242
South Portland , Maine
sugarae Offline
Traveler
sugarae  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,242
South Portland , Maine
Thank you for that information.


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