Do I have to get my child a PCR test?

[Treblebass]

A child has tested positive in my child’s class. The whole class then received an email from the head stating the council has requested all of our children to now get a PCR test.

Is this mandatory? He hasn’t got any symptoms. Also the head has advised us all to send her the results.

Thank you.

It's not mandatory as I understand it. It's recommended under the close contact policy. Schools don't tend to get involved anymore, unless there are a high number of cases in the school.

My DS has tested positive and other than a strange cough on Saturday evening I would never have guessed he was positive. LFT for us both were showing positive for him and negative for me. However PCR have confirmed we are both positive and I had no symptoms at the time of the test.

I dont think they can force you but wouldn't you want to to be on the safe side? I found out there was a case in the other class in my son's year and we weren't informed. I'm abit annoyed about it to be honest as I continued seeing customers at work and my DS going to school oblivious we had it

It’s not mandatory but it’s probably sensible.

Local school to us ask as primary school class to all test after two positive cases. 3 more where identified as a result.

Why wouldn’t you want to?

Currently school don't have to tell you if there's a case, even if it's a child your child has been in contact with. That responsibility is currently sitting with the child and the parent to either give contact details to test and trace or to tell people direct. My dd is yr 1. There are cases in the other yr1 class but those parents didn't say anything to the whole class. My dd tested positive and we told the class/yr. Generally people have been fine but we've had suggestions we introduced it to the school, which is unhelpful at a time which is already stressful.

No point to this post really other than a moan that if schools did get involved more - theres a case in your class please test, it would remove stress from parents at an already stressful time and possible nip outbreaks in the bud.

Also they advise PCR for contact cases as lat flow only pick up 70% of positive cases. And give 30% false negatives.

Why wouldn't you get one though?

And if you've been told it's "a request" and you've been "advised" then no it doesn't sound mandatory.

If there are over a certain number of cases then public health get involved and this is one of their measures for reducing spread. I would just clarify there has been more than one case at school because one case shouldn't prompt a pcr - if there has been then get her tested. (My kids have been done twice pcr- mobile vans were at school doing everyone- and daily LFT taken in school.)

A pcr is always advised if you've been in close contact with a case.

Sounds like the school is being pro active. Better than wooly emails about there being 'multiple' cases and increase in measures, children off in every class but no actual details...

@Aroundtheworldin80moves

Sounds like the school is being pro active. Better than wooly emails about there being 'multiple' cases and increase in measures, children off in every class but no actual details...

Agree, I wish all schools did this.

Thanks all, I’ll get him tested.