COVID-19 Guidance
New advice from DfE on self-isolation period for confirmed cases of Covid-1st April 2022
The Local Authority Information email (1st April) has updated the guidance about when individuals can return to school.
This now says:
"Children with a confirmed case should stay away for at least 3 full days after the test or first symptom. If test/symptom is on Wednesday then earliest return is Monday."
COVID-19 Update
What are the symptoms I need to look out for?
According to the NHS website: “Symptoms of coronavirus in children, the main symptoms of coronavirus are:
a high temperature a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot, for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours a loss or change to sense of smell or taste – this means they cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal.
” What is a new continuous cough?
As the weather is colder, we will start to see more coughs and colds in school. This can then be confusing about deciding when a cough is possible symptom of coronavirus. The NHS guidance states that “a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot, for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours”. If you are still unsure,
please go to https://111.nhs.uk/covid-19/ for further advice.
If parents/carers call the school to inform us that they are keeping children off because of a continuous cough which fits the criteria above, then we have to trust your judgement and that you have sought appropriate advice. If the advice is to get a test, then you must get a test and inform the school. You cannot then change your mind if your child stops coughing and send them back to school without having a test. If we see any children coughing continuously in school in line with NHS definition, we will seek NHS advice and if necessary send them home and ask you get a test for them. You must then get a test. We appreciate that most of us are not medical professionals, however, if we all follow the NHS advice, we will be able to keep each other safe.
What should I do if my child has symptoms BEFORE arriving at school?
If your child has any of the main symptoms of coronavirus:
1.You must get a test to check if they have coronavirus as soon as possible.
My child has had the test, what should I do now?
Please keep the school informed as to whether the result is positive or negative.
Test Results
If the test results are POSITIVE: If the test result is positive, then you need to contact the school to advise. Keep the child away from school for 3 days aftyer which time they can return (even if still testing positive) as long as they are well enough and do not have a fever.
What happens if the test result is negative?
If the result is negative, then if your child is well enough and no longer ill, they can come straight back to school.
Please click here to see further NHS advice.
