Isolated DC at school but no info - WWYD?

[PepperPrepper]

I need some clarification on this but not getting it from the school so am asking here.

Youngest DC (9) has a no. of DC in his class who are in isolation. Some are doing it because one of their parents is feeling unwell. They are at home and emailing, messaging my DS and his peers about being off. One of them has all the symptoms of this and has told my DS that they have it.

I have asked the school and they gave me a line about "if we are told anyone has CV we will of course let you know"...

I don't think the DC or their families have been tested as they are not in hospital. I may never know if they have it or not. The school, DC's class is open but DC are off isolated or other parents have pulled their DC out. I want to know for my own family if they are sick with CV but don't even know if I will get this info from them. I'm working so I can't even just go off and say my DC may have been in contact with someone who may have CV.

This makes me see that everyone should be tested. How are we meant to stop the spread of this if people are sick and people are not then isolating themselves from them because we don't know the facts?

Also..WWYD re DC?

[Sirzy]

Testing everyone just won’t be logistical though. The resources need to be saved for the serious cases.

Every school in the country is going to have people isolating at the moment. Whether then have coronavirus or not we won’t know but they are being removed from the system at the first point they are aware they may have.

[greensnail]

You won't get any more information as people with symptoms aren't being tested, the guidance is that your DC would continue school unless they or someone in your household has symptoms.

[Catrescue1971]

Just take your child off if you're worried. If staff or children become ill they probably won't get the test anyway. And schools can't share individual info, e.g., x has it. The easiest way to avoid it is to take your child out.

[PerfectParrot]

Testing has to be prioritised. Those with a clinical need (because they are in hospital and it would change how they are treated) are first in the queue. IMO, healthcare professionals showing symptoms should be next in line (because they really need to be at work if they can, but shouldn't be there if they have corona). You not knowing about the classmates does make it harder for you, but in the grand scheme of things it can't be a priority.

It is scary times though. I teach in a secondary school and a lot of parents seem to be just keeping the kids at home now. Yesterday every class had about a quarter missing. I'm expecting it to be even fewer in today.

[HPandTheNeverEndingBedtime]

The school are right not to tell you another students medical information. The school also probably won't know and hopefully neither will the family unless they get so unwell they have to go to hospital.

I can tell you that in every one of my 5 classes yesterday at least 10 students were absent. If you are out of the house working you are just as likely to be exposed to people with it and not know.

As far as what to do, send your DC in until they have a cough or high temperature until the government advice changes.

[MrsAJ27]

If you are worried keep your child at home! At least ppl are following the guidelines.

The NHS cannot test everybody.

[SorrelBlackbeak]

Keep your child at home if you're worried. The parents and children in isolation won't get a definitive answer so there is no way of really knowing who has it or not until testing is ramped up.