COVID-19
The latest guidance from the UKHSA re. COVID-19
People with symptoms of a respiratory infection including COVID-19, has now been published and it takes into account that most people can no longer access free testing for COVID-19. You can view the guidance in full here.
The advice from our Trust is that our schools align themselves with the UKHSA updated guidance published today.
The key points of the updated UKHSA guidance are as follows:
What to do if you have symptoms of a respiratory infection, including COVID-19:
· Children and young people aged 18 years and under:
Those 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. They can go back to school and resume normal activities when they no longer have a high temperature, and they are well enough to attend.
What to do if you have a positive COVID-19 test result:
- Children and young people aged 18 years and under:
It is not recommended that children and young people are tested for COVID-19 unless directed to by a health professional.
If a child or young person has a positive COVID-19 test result they are advised to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 3 days after the day that they took the test. After 3 days, if they feel well and do not have a high temperature, the risk of passing the infection on to others is much lower.
This is because children and young people tend to be infectious to other people for less time than adults.
Please note there is separate guidance for people who have been informed by the NHS that they are at highest risk of becoming seriously unwell and who might be eligible for new COVID-19 treatments.
NHS Parent guide for childhood covid
My Story About Pandemics and the Coronavirus
This is a confusing time adults, let alone children. Please see the link below to support the children's understanding of the situation we find ourselves in.