Families of secondary school children being offered home testing kits

[RedskyAtnight]

Just wondering how widespread this is?
In our area, families of secondary school children are being offered the opportunity to have a home testing kit (i.e. the whole family can get tested). It's being suggested that we should test as soon as possible, and before schools return in January.
This is the standard test, not the rapid response test.
I'm not sure how much take up there will be - I imagine many people with no symptoms might be wary of getting a positive test at the start of the Christmas holidays, though others might use it to test before they go and see relatives.

Yes just had an email from school urging all families to order them this week.

Yes, just had the letter.

No entirely sure in my case its worth it. Kids finish school tomorrow, we have no plans to go anywhere until new year once they're off. So effectively isolating anyway.

Are you all London? How could they possibly test all secondary kid families ?!! This seems nuts . Do you just apply as usual without symptoms then?

How does it work if you're positive now (as I am)?

I'm highly likely to test positive again in early Jan, apparently that's true for up to 90 days, so anyone who's had it in the previous 3 months (even unknowingly) won't get a clear test to return to school.

Not London here. (South East Tier 2 area likely to go Tier 3 today).

You apply via the usual site and tick the "My local council or health protection team has asked me to get a test although I have no symptoms box". For everyone in the family.

I have no idea how they will cope with numbers if every secondary school family takes this up.

We're not seeing anyone over Christmas (well only briefly outside) so probably won't bother.

Not home testing kits, but we are in an area that was Tier 1 in October and Tier 3 now.

Things had got pretty awful in schools so the council sent letters home over the weekend telling families with secondary school age children to get tested ASAP and then again 4 days before returning to school.

It has caused huge widespread closures in schools due to a lack of pupils and staff.

No testing here (as yet) SW

However given an email for test results and 'We hope no-one has to use it so we can all enjoy Christmas" and also a warning about penalty notices for unauthorised absences.

Not London, SE, to test at home, just ordered mine, i’m so pleased as was going to try to get all the family tested before Christmas anyway 😊

We got the same letter yesterday - we're in the east of England. Based on comments on the school facebook group, takeup seems to be high- lots of people have requested tests.

But would this not provide false reassurance if tests done in advance of Christmas?

When would be the best time / day to take these tests?

Long term tier 3 area here on the North of England. Unsurprisingly, we’ve been offered no such thing...

Sounds like a marvellous idea to me, if they time it to identify cases prior to schools reopening, and if ALL geographical areas struggling are offered it.

@LadyCatStark

Long term tier 3 area here on the North of England. Unsurprisingly, we’ve been offered no such thing...

Same!

Think its a brilliant idea! had we got the mass community testing that was promised! my plan had been to get us all tested before mixing over the christmas period. Sadly now that wont be possible and we wont be meeting family!

@McFarts go and get tested. I was dead against using the NHS for tests when not showing symptoms, but if some people in some areas can do it then why can’t others??

But people not offered it could still do it surely? I mean if they wanted to.

We had a letter for DS but not DD, it came just as his 14 day isolation was ending. I have sent off for the kit but whether he actually does sit or not is another matter

Which areas are getting these letters please? SE?

Tier 3 West Mids here. Six isolations and Covid for one secondary DC since Sep due to mass school cases and a month of SIs for DC at another secondary.

Our schools have been on their knees for months yet not one test offered-- there are 10% of positivesin one child's class FFS.

Why have we been left to fester?

[quote LadyCatStark]@McFarts go and get tested. I was dead against using the NHS for tests when not showing symptoms, but if some people in some areas can do it then why can’t others??[/quote]
Its tempting! However, like you unless we have had one of the listed symptom

@middleager It certainly does feel like we have been left to just fester! My DDs are Y11 and Y13 both have had over 4 weeks off self isolating. My DS who attends a special school, with small class size hasnt needed to isolate once...

@McFarts honestly, at this point, I’d just tell them you have a cough. Why should it be one rule for some and one for the rest of us?

One of the bad London boroughs here, Y11 DD has come home with a test to use today on 2/1 before going back to school.

I work in a school and have also been given tests to use over the holidays.

We also have sites to go and get a test if you are a secondary aged child or their family member and asymptomatic.

@Orangeblossom77777

Which areas are getting these letters please? SE?

Do you even need to ask that question @Orangeblossom77777 😡?

West Yorkshire if anyone thinks this is purely a London thing

Not sure what the problem is with asking?!

Would be a great idea to test everyone at secondary schools before they return next term - not sure there would be enough testing capacity to allow for that though? They should certainly target areas where the rate is high.