Certificate of Recovery if only tested at home

[susandiego]

1 minute ago, D C said:

We've known for ~2 years that you can continue to test positive for weeks after being recovered as unviable genetic material may still be shed by ones body. 

 

That's my understanding, as well.

Our health care provider recently let us know you can still have a positive PCR test result up to 90 days after the start of infection, apparently well after you're still contagious. l would check with my health care provider about whether a PCR test is the best method to indicate whether you've recovered from Covid-19. If your ports are in the US, the CDC site seems to maintain up-to-date guidelines, as well.

 

I don't have the impression from these Celebrity and Royal Caribbean posts that they require a COR from everyone who has had Covid in the previous 90 days. The guidelines linked to in this thread seem focused on using a COR in lieu of either proof of vaccination or pre-cruise testing.

It can be difficult to keep up with these changing guidelines; perhaps one of you knows better about this.

[greatestvalue]

1 hour ago, ssb said:

Yes we both are just over Covid

Sorry for my confusion. I too just got over Covid and tested negative now and Im vaccinated. 

 

So if you are both "over Covid" and tested negative - then why would you need the Certificate of Recovery?  

[topnole]

1 hour ago, D C said:

We've known for ~2 years that you can continue to test positive for weeks after being recovered as unviable genetic material may still be shed by ones body. 

For PCR test that is true.  For antigen tests, that is very rare and likely indicates active infection.  It very much depends on the type of test you are talking about.  That is why folks on here always recommend proctored antigen test for folks that had Covid somewhat recently.   The other comment was clearly based on the assumption it was an antigen test.  

[topnole]

3 hours ago, lovesthebeach2 said:

Yes but you need proof of when it started don’t you? An official PCR would be that proof

No.  
 

The PCR is the “proof of when it started” so that starts the clock on the 90-11 days out window.   A PCR positive now does you zero good for a cruise 3-4 months from now.   It must be less than 90 days from now or there isn’t a valid COR.  I’m not sure I understand your reply.  I’m nearly fixing the issue of the other post mentioning 4 months out.  

[susandiego]

18 minutes ago, topnole said:

No.  
 

The PCR is the “proof of when it started” so that starts the clock on the 90-11 days out window.   A PCR positive now does you zero good for a cruise 3-4 months from now.   It must be less than 90 days from now or there isn’t a valid COR.  I’m not sure I understand your reply.  I’m nearly fixing the issue of the other post mentioning 4 months out.  

 

I think lovesthebeach2 said their cruise is 45 days out.

Still, you should have recovered by the time your pre-cruise test is required, so you should be able to provide a negative test result then.

 

Following CDC guidelines, I think you'll be using rapid Antigen tests at home now as you notice your symptoms dissipating, and you should eventually start testing negative. These tests are more accurate when you perform them more than once, with 24-36 hours between tests, so a single negative test is not sufficient to show you're no longer infected.

 

I would start using those home Antigen tests again about a week before the cruise, to be sure you haven't been re-infected. That will give you confidence about the official test you need to take before boarding.

(Unless you were hoping to use the COR instead of a pre-cruise test? I can't speak to that.)

 

This is just what I would do, based on current guidelines. Everything can change by then, and your Covid case might be different. I'm not a health care professional -- just a layperson doing some research recently.

[topnole]

9 minutes ago, susandiego said:

 

I think lovesthebeach2 said their cruise is 45 days out.

Still, you should have recovered by the time your pre-cruise test is required, so you should be able to provide a negative test result then.

 

Following CDC guidelines, I think you'll be using rapid Antigen tests at home now as you notice your symptoms dissipating, and you should eventually start testing negative. These tests are more accurate when you perform them more than once, with 24-36 hours between tests, so a single negative test is not sufficient to show you're no longer infected.

 

I would start using those home Antigen tests again about a week before the cruise, to be sure you haven't been re-infected. That will give you confidence about the official test you need to take before boarding.

(Unless you were hoping to use the COR instead of a pre-cruise test? I can't speak to that.)

 

This is just what I would do, based on current guidelines. Everything can change by then, and your Covid case might be different. I'm not a health care professional -- just a layperson doing some research recently.

That is the thing about the COR.  89 days old COR and someone now can quite possibly be reinfected with the new omicron strains and test positive.  But with COR they are allowed to board.  Given the the ability of new strains to infect those previously infected with original omicron, it seems the COR isn’t a very good substitute.  Before these newest strains it made a lot more sense.  Yet another large hole in the testing net.  

[lovesthebeach2]

56 minutes ago, topnole said:

Of course.  But my point is that POR is no good from a test 3-4 months old.  If you have Covid now and your cruise is in November don’t waste your time on POR.  It isn’t going to get you on the ship.  

we cruise from Denmark in 45 days.  

 

52 minutes ago, greatestvalue said:

Sorry for my confusion. I too just got over Covid and tested negative now and Im vaccinated. 

 

So if you are both "over Covid" and tested negative - then why would you need the Certificate of Recovery?  

He’s over it and well now but still tested positive today.  We cruise from Denmark in 45 days. Hoping he tests negative soon 

23 minutes ago, susandiego said:

 

I think lovesthebeach2 said their cruise is 45 days out.

Still, you should have recovered by the time your pre-cruise test is required, so you should be able to provide a negative test result then.

 

Following CDC guidelines, I think you'll be using rapid Antigen tests at home now as you notice your symptoms dissipating, and you should eventually start testing negative. These tests are more accurate when you perform them more than once, with 24-36 hours between tests, so a single negative test is not sufficient to show you're no longer infected.

 

I would start using those home Antigen tests again about a week before the cruise, to be sure you haven't been re-infected. That will give you confidence about the official test you need to take before boarding.

(Unless you were hoping to use the COR instead of a pre-cruise test? I can't speak to that.)

 

This is just what I would do, based on current guidelines. Everything can change by then, and your Covid case might be different. I'm not a health care professional -- just a layperson doing some research recently.

Yes cruise is 45 days from today. We plan to do the Emed test from hotel room in Copenhagen. He is all better but still tested positive today. Thanks. 

[Ourusualbeach]

5 minutes ago, lovesthebeach2 said:

we cruise from Denmark in 45 days.  

 

He’s over it and well now but still tested positive today.  We cruise from Denmark in 45 days. Hoping he tests negative soon 

Yes cruise is 45 days from today. We plan to do the Emed test from hotel room in Copenhagen. He is all better but still tested positive today. Thanks. 

You do not have to test negative in order to get a certificate of recovery.  That is the whole point of getting a certificate of recovery.

 

Once you get a positive PCR test you should be able to get a Dr to fill out the certificate of recovery if you are no longer showing any symptoms and it has been 10 days since your positive test.

 

The whole point of getting the certificate of recovery is to avoid having to test in the future when there is a possibility that you could continue to test positive for 90 days after being initially infected.

 

Royal will allow you to board their ships if you have the positive PCR test and a certificate of recovery as long as the PCR test is within 90 days of sailing.  This avoids having to test pre cruise.

[Ourusualbeach]

1 hour ago, susandiego said:

I don't have the impression from these Celebrity and Royal Caribbean posts that they require a COR from everyone who has had Covid in the previous 90 days. The guidelines linked to in this thread seem focused on using a COR in lieu of either proof of vaccination or pre-cruise testing.

It can be difficult to keep up with these changing guidelines; perhaps one of you knows better about this.

COR can only be used to avoid the pre cruise testing.  It does not exempt anyone from having to be fully vaccinated

[susandiego]

2 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

COR can only be used to avoid the pre cruise testing.  It does not exempt anyone from having to be fully vaccinated

Yes. Sorry, I did not mean to imply a COR exempts anyone from vaccination -- the content of the two pages that folks cited was focused on those two questions, but neither said that a COR would exempt you from being vaccinated. Thanks for pointing that out.

[lovesthebeach2]

7 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

You do not have to test negative in order to get a certificate of recovery.  That is the whole point of getting a certificate of recovery.

 

Once you get a positive PCR test you should be able to get a Dr to fill out the certificate of recovery if you are no longer showing any symptoms and it has been 10 days since your positive test.

 

The whole point of getting the certificate of recovery is to avoid having to test in the future when there is a possibility that you could continue to test positive for 90 days after being initially infected.

 

Royal will allow you to board their ships if you have the positive PCR test and a certificate of recovery as long as the PCR test is within 90 days of sailing.  This avoids having to test pre cruise.

Thanks Ken. I had assumed that the COR was to be used if the pre cruise test showed positive. So he won’t even need to test?

[D C]

2 minutes ago, lovesthebeach2 said:

Thanks Ken. I had assumed that the COR was to be used if the pre cruise test showed positive. So he won’t even need to test?

That's what I thought too.   It negates a positive test, so to speak. 

Does CoR really = No Test Required?

[Ourusualbeach]

1 hour ago, lovesthebeach2 said:

Thanks Ken. I had assumed that the COR was to be used if the pre cruise test showed positive. So he won’t even need to test?

 

1 hour ago, D C said:

That's what I thought too.   It negates a positive test, so to speak. 

Does CoR really = No Test Required?

Yes.  With a positive PCR test from no more than 90 days prio and a COR you do not need to take a re boarding test.  That is the sole use of a COR for Royal.

[susandiego]

1 hour ago, D C said:

That's what I thought too.   It negates a positive test, so to speak. 

Does CoR really = No Test Required?

 

Both the Celebrity and the Royal Caribbean info quoted by other cruisers in this thread say exactly that.

From the Royal Caribbean page:

"For all sailings departing on or after March 11, 2022, a Certificate of Recovery, for a positive COVID-19 case at least 11 days before boarding but no more than 90 days ago, may be provided in lieu of a pre-cruise COVID-19 test result to board the ship if it meets certain requirements."

 

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/if-recovered-from-covid-19-need-to-be-vaccinated-or-take-a-test-to-sail

 

However, there's a list of ports that won't accept the COR.

 

Waiting till after taking the required pre-cruise test would be too late, as that would be within 11 days of boarding, and the pre-cruise tests are within 24 to 72 hours before boarding, depending on the line and embarkation port.

Edited July 21, 2022 by susandiego

[susandiego]

Given that some ports do not accept a COR, and that the guidelines change so often, I would plan on Antigen (not PCR) testing, even if I obtained a COR.

Edited July 21, 2022 by susandiego
Added "not PCR"

[greatestvalue]

3 hours ago, lovesthebeach2 said:

He’s over it and well now but still tested positive today.  We cruise from Denmark in 45 days. Hoping he tests negative soon 

Ahhh....so he hasnt tested negative. Thank you for confirming I wasnt missing the boat, as I have tested negative.  But to someone else's point, I should test again as I did use one of the home non proctored tests. 

 

Keeping him in our prayers, that he gets there.  We are sailing from Copenhagen Aug 28.