Yes, I knew there was little chance of a negative test today, but I don't have symptoms and don't know when I actually got it so I was hoping I was on the back end of the virus. Locally, they're saying people don't test positive after 5 days with Omicron variant, which is why I wanted to test ASAP.

I can't find any other info on the "documentation of recovery" listed on the CDC site. Per their site, day 5 without symptoms would qualify. Does that signed document have to come from a local doc or my doc via teledoc Appt?

Ha, just checked. It's $1,300 and have to go through Houston.

Billy Foster said:

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Yes, I knew there was little chance of a negative test today, but I don't have symptoms and don't know when I actually got it so I was hoping I was on the back end of the virus. Locally, they're saying people don't test positive after 5 days with Omicron variant, which is why I wanted to test ASAP.

I can't find any other info on the "documentation of recovery" listed on the CDC site. Per their site, day 5 without symptoms would qualify. Does that signed document have to come from a local doc or my doc via teledoc Appt?

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I found a bit more under the FAQs but its still pretty vague. Under "What if I recently recovered from COVID-19?"

Quote:

People who have recovered from COVID-19 can continue to test positive for up to 3 months after their infection. CDC does not recommend retesting within 3 months after a person with COVID-19 first developed symptoms of COVID-19 (or the date their sample was taken for their first positive viral diagnostic test if their infection was asymptomatic).

If you have had a positive viral test on a sample taken during the past 90 days, and you have met the criteria to end isolation, you may travel instead with your positive viral test results and a signed letter from a licensed healthcare provider or a public health official that states you have been cleared for travel. The positive test result and letter together are referred to as "documentation of recovery."

A letter from your healthcare provider or a public health official that clears you to end isolation, e.g., to return to work or school, can be used to show you are cleared to travel, even if travel isn't specifically mentioned in the letter. The letter must have information that identifies you personally (e.g., name and date of birth) that matches the personal identifiers on your passport or other travel documents. The letter must be signed and dated on official letterhead that contains the name, address, and phone number of the healthcare provider or public health official who signed the letter.

If you have recovered from COVID-19 but are not able to obtain documentation of recovery that fulfills the requirements, you will need to show a negative COVID-19 viral test result from a sample taken no more than 1 day before your flight to the US departs.

Even if you have recovered from COVID-19, if you develop symptoms of COVID-19 you should isolate, not travel, and consult with a healthcare provider for testing recommendations.

Yes, I've that a few times now. I have signed up for a teledoc service that issues this documentation of recovery. Now I have to verify if the airlines accept the timeframes. Per the CDC, 5 days asymptotic and a letter is good to come back even if still testing positive. But also states that the airlines may have more strict requirements, which I can't find. I can buy which ever airline ticket I need to, just want to make sure it's going to work.

My wife is starting to get sick and I need to get back to take care of the kids.

In my experience traveling internationally last year the airlines generally are just looking for an excuse the check the box and let you on board, and occasionally do not check at all. On that route traveling through Houston, because you would officially be transiting through IAH pretty sure you do not need to follow the same protocols so you may not need any test. At least that is how it is in other airports in Europe and the Middle East.

Could be a dumb question but Has anyone looked at beating a covid test with a sinus rinse or nasal lavatory with betadine prior to testing ?

I'd be curious if that would do enough.


Supporting research: just don't know if enough to beat a test
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.08.16.21262044v1

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaotolaryngology/fullarticle/2775984

Billy Foster said:

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Guest next to me in the same boat but from Canada. She can't get a flight until after her quarantine period, so I'm sure that's very frustrating.

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Is she hot?

I wouldn't blow betadyne up your nose. If the doctor's note doesn't work I would recommend the overland crossing suggested above. You could fly or bus to Cancun then looks like a few hundred to get to Tijuana. Would be unpleasant, but possibly the fastest way home.

Or Cancun to Reynosa and walk across. Have someone pick you up via car. Would be a cheaper route.

Do you mean just for his case or in general? What's your argument against it?

Billy Foster said:

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Yes, I've that a few times now. I have signed up for a teledoc service that issues this documentation of recovery. Now I have to verify if the airlines accept the timeframes. Per the CDC, 5 days asymptotic and a letter is good to come back even if still testing positive. But also states that the airlines may have more strict requirements, which I can't find. I can buy which ever airline ticket I need to, just want to make sure it's going to work.

My wife is starting to get sick and I need to get back to take care of the kids.

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Now she has Covid ?
Geez man that's rough.

Ugh man. Sorry to hear this. Keep updating.

Confirmed with United yesterday as much as I could that I should be good to go tomorrow with the documentation of recovery, no symptoms and my original positive test from Monday morning. I won't mention my test on Wednesday or tomorrow (if it's positive). That's my backup plan. I'll test again tomorrow morning hoping for a negative (or if the tester is open to a cash offer) before heading the airport on the island. They're only checking COVID results in Belize City before boarding flights back to the US. We'll see.

Yes, wife tested positive this morning with an at home test. She has felt bad since Tuesday. The PCR tests they took in Austin at ARC have still not come back yet. My 3 year old tested negative with an at home test before going to school. The 8 year old has no symptoms and theyre out of at home tests.

Supposedly Belize has a "rule" that you can't leave without a negative test. I'm calling BS on that with the Drs note and hoping the United workers here agree with me and the US CDC (can't believe I had to say that).

Godspeed!

Side note I'm in Austin and have heard that ARC is incredibly slow to provide results right now. I have a friend who runs a testing facility so if you need tests and are anywhere near NW Austin look up POC Health. And if you haven't heard Austin Public Health just moved us to Stage 5. For what that's worth.

https://pochealthservices.com/

Thanks Chet. Appreciate it.

The number of providers who have it right now in Austin is astronomical. At my wife's hospital the have several parts of the hospital closed because so many providers can't come in because they have tested positive

Keeper of The Spirits said:

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The number of providers who have it right now in Austin is astronomical. At my wife's hospital the have several parts of the hospital closed because so many providers can't come in because they have tested positive

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Not good. Very anecdotal I know but we know WAY more people that have the 'rona right now than ever did before at least at the same time. Fortunately mild symptoms in otherwise healthy people but some senior citizens too...my boss's parents in their 70's.

chet98 said:

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Keeper of The Spirits said:

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The number of providers who have it right now in Austin is astronomical. At my wife's hospital the have several parts of the hospital closed because so many providers can't come in because they have tested positive

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Not good. Very anecdotal I know but we know WAY more people that have the 'rona right now than ever did before at least at the same time. Fortunately mild symptoms in otherwise healthy people but some senior citizens too...my boss's parents in their 70's.

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Omicron is way more contagious than previous versions of the virus. Luckily for most, but not all, the effects will range from asymptomatic to feeling crappy for a few days (fever, chills, etc.). This wave will spike and come down again pretty quickly (think of a brush fire) as it spreads so rapidly; it will then run out of viable hosts.

Had my call with the dr today. Per the CDC, I have to isolate for 5 days from detection (Monday) then I can leave on the following day. So my documentation of recovery states that I am clear to leave on Saturday. I still have a test scheduled for tomorrow that I'm going to keep on the offhand I test negative, then I can head out (flight is already scheduled for tomorrow). If not I'll move to it Saturday and be done.
As long as the bar next door keeps playing Texas country and keeps the karaoke to a min, I'm happy.

Wife is still sick, which sucks but not much we can do.

Billy Foster said:

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Had my call with the dr today. Per the CDC, I have to isolate for 5 days from detection (Monday) then I can leave on the following day. So my documentation of recovery states that I am clear to leave on Saturday. I still have a test scheduled for tomorrow that I'm going to keep on the offhand I test negative, then I can head out (flight is already scheduled for tomorrow). If not I'll move to it Saturday and be done.
As long as the bar next door keeps playing Texas country and keeps the karaoke to a min, I'm happy.

Wife is still sick, which sucks but not much we can do.

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Are they keeping you stocked with liquor?

Wife and I are heading down to Cancun for a long MLK weekend and I'm starting to sweat over possibly getting stuck there, not a good time of the year for an extended vacation.

Whatever liquor/beer I buy. The restaurant next door has some good specials and food. I haven't bought liquor bottles because I've been planning on leaving since I got here.

My wife told me that our friends were in Cancun over NYE and our friend tested positive before leaving. They were able to forge her results with PDF to show a negative. She was not about to stay there by herself for 14 days. Her husband tested positive after they got home.

Good to know. We were in Puerto Vallarta last March and the staff at the airport barely looked at our results (on a phone); was a completely different story trying to leave Turks last Thanksgiving though.

This rule by the Biden Administration needs to be challenged in court. I believe it is Unconstitutional to deny entry to an American citizen.

Safe travels!

Congrats!

Thanks guys.

Asking for upcoming trip to Cancun, could you elaborate on if a local doctor would not issue the letter and/or recognize the new CDC 5 day guidance and also what teledoc service you used? We want to prepared in case it becomes an issue.

I am in Cancun right now, and there are a ton of covid booths in the hotel zone. The test is 500 pesos, but I bet for 700 pesos they can guarantee you a negative test

I had a friend at a Cancun resort test positive then had a same day followup test come back as "negative."

I'm supposed to be in Cancun in February. Hopefully this mess has passed through by then.

I just googled it and found a group called QuickMD.com that specifically called out the documentation of recovery. It was a $75 teledoc service. I'm sure your local doc could do the same if they do a teledoc service and will email you the letter. The big thing was 5 days of isolation per the CDC then can travel the following day. Luckily I didn't need it but it was my backup plan. The dr asked a few questions to make sure I was asymptomatic (definitely don't tell them you have symptoms) and said you can travel on Saturday. Diagnosis day is day 0 and you can travel on day 6 (5 day isolation if asymptomatic per the CDC).