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Covid

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Original poster

Close contact notification. Surely this will go on & on.

22 replies

Rainys · 11/10/2021 23:31

We received a letter from the school today saying my child was a close contact and needs a Covid test. Surely, if it’s going around the class, we’ll be getting another letter next week and so on?

Is it simply a case of trusting parents to test their children? Does there come a point when all the class has to isolate?
Sorry, I’m sure all this has been asked before but I’m confused.

OP posts:

makelovenotpetrol · 12/10/2021 18:57

This isn't the rules anymore. They're under the age of 18.5 they don't need to isolate and they don't have to have a PCR it's just "advised". I'd question the school.

BernardsarenotalwaysSaints · 12/10/2021 19:01

The first 2 days of term. That's all I got without any contact tracing emails from either school. They've been daily since then. 5 children, 4 in primary, 1 in secondary (who's currently awaiting pcr results following a positive LFD on Sunday).

Original poster

Rainys · 12/10/2021 20:41

Oh wow!!
So, is it just advised that the children have a test if they have been in close contact (as the letter we received said our child needed a test?). Currently waiting on the test results as I type.

OP posts:

NobbyButtons · 13/10/2021 09:25

Our school is asking parents to take their child for a PCR test and to isolate until they get a negative result. Last week there was one Year 3 child at school! There have been several positive cases since the start of term so children are missing a lot of school.

The letter to parents says: "Although there is no legal requirement to self-isolate, following the significant increase in cases, the LA have strongly recommended that all pupils take a PCR test and isolate until a negative result is returned."

BernardsarenotalwaysSaints · 13/10/2021 09:57

It's advised but not mandatory to take a pcr from what I can make out. I have been doing them, mainly because my 2 youngest dc are asthmatic & forever coughing so it's likely the only way I'd know for sure, assuming no other symptoms (they do do LFDs but I'm not convinced I get a good enough sample).

Result is in, she's confirmed + so off until after half term now. Hope yours is negative!

Original poster

Rainys · 13/10/2021 10:26

Oh no. Sorry to hear that. Wishing her well.
I think I'd also rather just test for peace of mind. I guess this is just how life is going to be for the moment. X

OP posts:

Covidworries · 13/10/2021 10:44

Here we do PCR test on day 2 amd 8 if confirmed case but attend school while waiting on results. Last few weeks we have been testing pcr twice weekly as close contacts. I expecting a new close contact letter before weekend again. Will be shocked if we dont and im not expecting to get to half term without a positive in household.

inferiorCatSlave · 13/10/2021 11:01

They're under the age of 18.5 they don't need to isolate and they don't have to have a PCR it's just "advised".

The school says for our own peace of mind - but definitely if there are symptoms which we'd do anyway.

College did say they had to have a PCR test before being allowed back even if just a close contact- but the kids did notice no-one was that interested in the results - DD1 did it and would again.

You are right though there were a few days of notifications of close contacts - though only none vaccinated actually seemed to come back positive. It's not happend since first few weeks though but they are 16+ there so most got vaccinated in first few weeks of term.

pommedeterre · 13/10/2021 11:43

Close contacts is weird and a proper issue. T & T just take name of school.

One school told the first 2 +ve cases to get in contact with all close friends and tell them to get PCRs. Strongly discouraged from coming back in until result in, -ve come in, +ve obviously stay at home

Other school got entire year group to do 2 x pcrs and daily lateral flows but come in if LFT -ve whilst waiting for results. It has exploded so now entire year group PLUS siblings at home! I don't feel like this is correct but what can I do. WFH craply and homeschool. And drink.

plk323 · 13/10/2021 11:49

Our school isn't notifying us of positive tests of close contacts this year. Having asked about it, it's no longer a requirement so they've stopped doing it.

My son sat next to at least four children that tested positive last week and no email from school. I know of other local schools taking the same approach.

Original poster

Rainys · 13/10/2021 12:57

I think our local authority has just changed things. I'm pretty sure that there was Covid in the class at the start of term but all the school would say that it's in the school. Now, the whole class has been told to test. Someone I was talking too said that advice changed on Friday for our area?!?

OP posts:

Finchall · 13/10/2021 13:00

Schools have to follow the guidance given to them by the DfE and Public Health. including about notifying parents.
Schools are not making decisions in isolation.

pommedeterre · 13/10/2021 14:44

I have been reading DfE guidance. I think that bouncing the siblings out is not correct.

benelephant · 13/10/2021 14:46

My DS has twice set next to a child in a lesson that has then tested positive. Not heard a thing from school or test and trace. Good job I hear from Facebook really!

PingusLittleSister · 13/10/2021 15:05

Our school isn't telling us about any cases. TBH they've probably lost count because it was rife about 2 weeks ago :)
Touch wood its all calmed down since.

Elisheva · 13/10/2021 15:20

My son tested positive at the weekend. We had the call from test and trace who said that they didn’t bother to try and work out all the close contacts for a child who has been in school any more, although they did notify the clubs that he had attended and friends that he had spent time with outside school.

MumbleCrumbs · 13/10/2021 15:26

DD has sen and prior medical trauma. She will not let me near her with a swab, I feel reallg guilty about it but unless she has symptoms I won't be testing her. I refuse to hold her down to do it if she is well.

Tigerwhocameforsupper · 13/10/2021 15:30

@MumbleCrumbs

I have covid myself and am still not testing my 4 year old. He has ASD and finds it incredibly traumatic. If he develops symptoms he will isolate for 10 days.

Original poster

Rainys · 13/10/2021 15:36

Yes. My son has been newly diagnosed ASD. I was dreading how he would cope. He actually did really well with his iPad and distractions but I'd already decided, any sign of this causing him distress, I'd stop and just keep him off & not so it again. X

OP posts:

KitchenKrisis · 13/10/2021 16:09

Personally I think it's madness not to ask people to isolate until at least their pcr come back.

headinthecloudsnow · 13/10/2021 16:15

OP this is what I have been wondering too.

Both DC were asked to test over the weekend, no symptoms. Took them for a PCR test which was traumatic (6 and 3), both negative. If the school ask us to do it again I will be politely declining on the basis that surely we can't have to put them through it constantly. Surely they can only advise?! I thought PCR tests were only for people with symptoms anyway. LFT for no symptoms. Although theyre crap.

Original poster

Rainys · 13/10/2021 16:52

Yes. That was my understanding too. I've tried to speak to the school to get some clarification but got nowhere. A few weeks ago when we heard some children had Covid in the class, the school said they were not allowed to confirm that and we would be contacted if necessary.
Now, 2 weeks later, the whole class has had to test?

OP posts:

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