Cases - Covid testing
25 Apr 2022
We just wanted to make you aware that there are a few children off with Covid symptoms or who have tested positive in class 1.
Please see below for Covid testing guidance. You are no longer obliged to test your children, however if your child is poorly it would be advisable to keep them home until they feel well again. Thank you.
The Covid 19 guidance has again changed.
As of the 1st April tests were no longer provided free of charge and it is therefore optional if you test.
Please read the updated guidance below:
What are the options for testing?
The majority of people in England will no longer be eligible for free Covid-19 tests from 1st April. The Government has set out the groups who will still be eligible for free testing when they have symptoms of the virus. These include some hospital patients, some people at high risk of severe disease from COVID-19 and some who live or work in “high risk settings” including NHS and adult social care settings or prisons. More information can be found here: Changes to COVID-19 testing in England from 1 April - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) For anyone who does not fall into the categories listed in the guidance but who wishes to test for COVID-19, lateral flow tests can be bought online or from high street or supermarket pharmacies.
What is the advice if pupils (aged 18 years and under) have symptoms of a respiratory infection, including COVID-19?
Children and young people with mild symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat, or slight cough, who are otherwise well, can continue to attend their education setting. Children and young people who are unwell and have a high temperature should stay at home and avoid contact with other people, where they can. They can go back to school, college or childcare, and resume normal activities when they no longer have a high temperature and they are well enough to return. All children and young people with respiratory symptoms should be encouraged to cover their mouth and nose with a disposable tissue when coughing and/or sneezing and to wash their hands after using or disposing of tissues. It can be difficult to know when to seek help if a child is unwell. If you are worried, especially if they are aged under 2 years old, then you should seek medical help.
What is the advice for those aged 18+ who have taken a test for COVID-19 and the result is positive?
Try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people. Anyone with a positive COVID-19 test result is very likely to have COVID-19 even if they do not have any symptoms. They can pass on the infection to others, even without symptoms. Many people with COVID-19 will no longer be infectious to others after 5 days. Anyone with a positive COVID-19 test result, should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 5 days after the day the test was taken. Please note there is different advice for children and young people aged 18 and under, please see the next section
What is the advice for those aged under 18 years who have taken a test for COVID-19 and the result is positive?
If a child or young person has a positive COVID-19 test result they should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 3 days after the day they took the test, if they can. If after 3 days they feel well and do not have a high temperature then they can return to the setting. Whilst further testing during the same period of infection is not currently advised under national guidance, should individuals continue to test positive after 3 days (or 5 days if aged 18 or over) then return to setting should be risk-assessed. Children and young people who usually go to school, college or childcare and who live with someone who has a positive COVID-19 test result should continue to attend as normal.
The government have produced an info graphic to provide advice on how to reduce the spread of infection with the people you live with if you have COVID-19.
Safe at home infographic (publishing.service.gov.uk)