Saltaire Primary School
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COVID-19

Covid-19 and the Omicron variant

The rules for testing and for self-isolation have now changed.

Children and adults who have Covid symptoms - PCR test required

If your child develops one of the three main symptoms of Covid, you should book them in for a PCR test (that is a test that is sent to a lab) to confirm if they are positive. The symptoms to look out for are:

  • a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)

  • 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 usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)

  • a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you've noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal

Children should isolate and then return to school as follows:

  • Children with the above symptoms should self-isolate until they have received the outcome of their PCR test

  • If the test result is positive, they will need to continue self-isolation for up to 10 days (returning to school on Day 11)

  • However, parents now have the option to end isolation early on day 6 - they can return to school if they receive two negative lateral flow (LFD) tests - one on Day 5 and another on Day 6

  • To return to school the two negative tests must be 24 hours apart

  • If they continue to register a positive lateral flow result, they will need to isolate until they receive a negative LFD test result (or until ten days have passed)

Children and adults who are asymptomatic and test positive with a lateral flow (LFD) test  - PCR test not required

Anyone who tests positive with an LFD, but does not have symptoms, should assume they are positive and it is likely they are carrying the virus. You should not book a PCR but should start your 5 day isolation period immediately. As above, children will be able to return to school if they test negative with an LFD on Day 5 and Day6 (or continue until Day 10 if still positive).

Please can we ask that parents report the outcome of negative LFD tests to school via the absence@saltaireps.co.uk email so that we can effectively monitor the situation.

Close contacts of someone who has tested positive for Covid-19 do not need to self-isolate if they are fully vaccinated or under the age of 18.

 

What to do if your child develops symptoms of COVID 19

Anyone with symptoms will be eligible for a PCR test and this can be arranged via https://www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test or by calling 119. 

Further information is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection

How to stop COVID-19 spreading

There are things you can do to help reduce the risk of you and anyone you live with getting ill with COVID-19

Do:

  • wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
  • use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
  • wash your hands as soon as you get home
  • cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
  • put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards

 Further Information

Further information is available at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

Please find below a copy of our most recent COVID-19 risk assessment and outbreak management plan.