How are they going to track the SA variant when schools open?

[BettyBoomerang]

They don't do track and trace in school, do they?

And given that kids are much more likely to get it asymptomatically, I can't imagine why they're bothering with all this 'doorstep testing' and postcode testing and stuff. IF the SA variant is dominant, the cat is about to be well and truly out of the bag, no?

(Tell me if I'm wrong - I'd love to be wrong!)

Schools have to do track and trace so they have to work out contacts for any positive cases

Known positive cases though. If it's asymptomatic in kids, surely that's going to present a bit of a problem?

I assume they're not expecting the SA variant to spread. Though that does beg the question why the doorstep testing on certain postcodes and the media jumping on every single case that's reported?! If it's going to spread, we're not going to control it with schools open.

Maybe there will be special rules in areas where SA variant is known to be. Maybe pupils will be offered regular testing in those areas (although won’t be compulsory).

Teachers here have been testing twice a week if still in school. That will continue for all staff once back. Any positive cases are reported to PHE. I suppose the would sample test staff if lots of cases were reported. Who knows.

They won't is the answer to the question. They're going to let the whole thing rip. That's a harsh truth, but that's mostly the way of things.

The Pcr testing in our local area which had one case of South African variant was for over 16s

Teachers here have been testing twice a week if still in school. That will continue for all staff once back.

Unless your school has decided to do it twice a week, we were told to reduce to once a week

Any positive cases are reported to PHE.

Its been the DfE and not the PHE for a while now .

We’ve been told they have to have two negative tests before they go back and then regular testing of all pupils. Waiting to hear if they will test once or twice a week and if it will be done at home. In our area all residents can be tested twice a month without symptoms which school is encouraging.