Isolating from school - PCR test

[peachpearplum01]

My daughter (7) has been told to isolate from school as someone in her class has tested positive for covid. The school have asked us all to do PCR tests and send the results back.
We haven’t had to do this before when isolating from school. I assume it isn’t mandatory (although recommended) and it’s the ten day isolation itself that’s mandatory?

That sounds strange.
At our school if the student tests positive they have to do a PCR test. The others self isolating continue with the home tests.
Call the school and query it?

All close contacts are now encouraged to do a pcr test to uncover any further cases, especially in schools. You're correct that it's not mandatory, and nor does it release the contact from isolation if negative.

You sure they don't mean Lateral flow tests? As that would be helpful to do twice a week or every 3 days to catch asymptomatic cases. But our school haven't ever asked us to do that but the gov website suggests it's a good idea when you are on the bit where you order the ltr tests.

Our school have done the same. I called them
And it’s not mandatory and they have said my dd can go
Back after her isolation. She is off due to a bubble closure and has had no symptoms. It’s really divided the parents in her class. I’m choosing not to make her have one as tbh she’s struggling with isolation as it is & when I told her about the test she had a melt down. From what I can gather it’s for data/research rather than anything else. Our school has had a lot of cases in the last couple of weeks. If she had symptoms I would do a test without question.

It’s defo pcr our school has asked for too. Seems new guidance

They've upped the tests for contacts now too. Very common to be asked to do a test, then your contacts can be isolating too if positive.

Yes this is correct, my son is currently isolating (going back tomorrow - yippee) and as close contacts they recommended a PCR test although it isn't mandatory not does it get them back to school any quicker. FWIW out of the circa 90 children - 2 were initially positive and two others have tested positive with the PCR test although negative with a LFT.

This is interesting about new guidance - our school hasn't told our self isolating students this!

School close contacts are now advised to and asked to get a PCR test.

It's not compulsory but it seems a very logical thing to do.

My primary school child was off a couple of weeks ago due to a classmate testing positive. Another child was discovered to be positive but asymptomatic after doing the requested PCR.

I don't understand someone wouldn't get tested to be certain that they aren't asymptomatic. They still have to do the isolation but at least the rest of the household would know if they have potentially been exposed too.

Im isolating as due to a colleague testing positive. It was advised by school to get a PCR test. I wont get back to work any quicker but its good to know .

Ds is isolating and his secondary school requested PCR test from him as a close contact. We didn't have to do one. I am, however having to do lft daily due to huge rise of cases amongst staff and children in my own school.

DD in primary, advised to isolate due to 2 in her year confirmed positive. Email from school advised all children isolating to do PCR & send result to school.

This seems to be the advice given to school now, helps to pick up more cases pre/asymptomatically. The guidance seemed to change as Delta took hold.

It's not just schools, it's close contact from anywhere advice (round here, anyway).
DH got to do one last week.
All of us this week 🤦‍♀️

All close contacts be it in school, work or community are now offered a pcr. You don't have to but it's recommended. Doesn't shorten your isolation or anything but does help to identify additional people who might be at risk.