Parents:  IMPORTANT MESSAGE –

I am led to believe that some parents have been sharing, on social media, an incorrect response if your child is ill, and actions for isolation if tested/suspected of Covid 19. 

It has been stated that if your child is ill with a cold, the school will tell (or have told others) that they must quarantine.  This is not true.  

I share again, the information passed to parents based on guidance from DfE and NHS.

1. If you believe your child is showing symptoms of Covid 19 or a member of your household has received a positive test, your child must be tested.  

If you are unsure if someone has symptoms, you should consult 111.  They will advise you if a test is required.

• Test is returned positive for Covid 19 – ten days quarantine for child (14 for household and all household must be tested)

Note: NHS guidance was 7 days isolation - now 10)

• Test is returned negative for Covid 19 – child MUST return to school as soon as they are fit and able. No quarantine required.

If you are advised by the NHS that your child is not showing symptoms and a test is not required, this is a standard illness and your child MUST return as soon as they are fit and able.  No change to normal practice.

1. If your child is ill but not showing symptoms of Covid 19, then this is managed as per normal practice.  

• Once they are fit and able to return, they must do so – no quarantine required.

Be practical:  As the autumn approaches, children will get coughs, sneezes, runny noses and other normal ailments.  There is no need to isolate in these circumstances.

1. If a household member receives a positive Covid 19 test (parent, sibling etc) all family members are tested – including children (see section 1).  

• If the result is positive, then they can return to school after 10 days.  
• If it is negative 14 days (owing to possible incubation period)

NHS – Guidance on symptoms:

The main symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) 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.

To protect others, do not go to places like a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital if you have any of these symptoms. Get a test to check if you have coronavirus and stay at home until you get your result.