How long should you be off work?

[brusselsprout5]

I work in a school. Whether you believe it or not I believe schools are a hotbed of Covid infections and we've currently got 3 classes isolating & 16 adults/pupils infected.

Our secretary tested positive last Thursday - 12th Nov. She's feeling really rough & not well at all. However our headteacher expects her back at work on Monday (not even 2 full weeks absence)! I'm really shocked at this but test & trace have said that's when she can return? Now I'm not sure she'll be well enough to return & is this actually correct? Not even 14 days absence?

Yes it's 10 days if you have a positive test. But obviously if she is too ill to work she shouldn't come back.

Its 10 days for a positive case unless they still feel bad or have a temperature

Yep 10 days
www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection

Thanks, I did think it might be 10 days now. I feel sad she is under pressure to return when clearly not well. Could she still infect us? We obviously wear masks & keep a 2m distance.

She shouldn't return until she is well enough and she needs to have 48 hours with no high temps. I couldn't stop isolating until day 18 or so due to my temp. Like with any illness, she cannot be made to return until well. She should contact her GP for a sick line.

Nhs says this:

It's ten days isolation but obviously normal sickness policy applies if they are still unwell! Covid symptoms can last ages. A TA in my school has been off for 6 weeks already and is still unwell.