Siblings to isolate when PCR positive

[Backofbeyond50]

We have been advised that PHE have requested dc to isolate when a sibling tests positive.
Just wondering how widespread this requirement is. We definitely have lots of cases in Secondary School.

I would be interested to know the areas where this is now the case. I see Cheshire East announced this on 12th October so if you have just been informed you must be in a different area? I wonder how widespread this policy is. Remember when we had covid press conferences to tell us the rules and precautions in each location.

I also worry that the more rules and isolations above national requirements that are introduced the less likely some parents are to test children either as contacts or with very mild symptoms, especially where they will have to take unpaid leave

There’s an easy solution to that, no return without a test if a contact or a child has symptoms. That way parents would have to test or face 10 days isolating anyway.

That isn't the guidelines from PHE though. Under 18's done have to isolate unless they develop symptoms/ test positive.

Our school letter says the siblings isolating policy is the result of a meeting with local council public health, the UK Health Security Agency (successor of PHE) and Department for Education

@Heartofglass12345

That isn't the guidelines from PHE though. Under 18's done have to isolate unless they develop symptoms/ test positive.

PHE are issuing extra guidance in hot spot areas. Not being widely reported though.

My son had to produce a negative PCR test before his secondary school wanted him back, this was after his younger sister’s positive result. Just phone your school and explain the situation, let them make the call. My son never caught it at all, shockingly. Covid does what covid wants.

Schools were never allowed to ask for evidence. Has this changed?

Not in our school (isolated cases but no outbreak that I’m aware of) but a school one mile away with a massive ongoing outbreak has now (re-) started this policy. And is keeping all classes bubbled and separate. Same authority. So I think it’s down to tho situation in individual schools. In our LA anyway.

Yeah I was wondering if it was individual schools as not heard from Primary.

I was beginning to think, what is the point in keep trying to delay them all getting it, because let's face it, everyone will end up getting it with all the test nonsense of not working etc. And siblings not isolating and surely it's better for the whole school to sort of all get herd immunity together so they are perhaps only affected over a couple of months out of the school year.... Its not going away is it....
Then I figured that we may well keep doing this nonsense until they have vaccinated everyone including babies and children.... I think that is when they will say they have done everything they can, now get on with it and don't isolate even when positive. Or they manage to tweak the vaccines so you can't transmit it but I can't see that happening either!
If we have to go back to close contacts isolating then the schools are going to be disrupted badly again aren't they and kids are going to miss tons of school again!

Our county has reinstated isolation of siblings. A PCR three days after the sibling’s positive test is needed before returning to school. Steeply rising cases across the county.

I'm not sure about this. DD2 has covid now, DD1 has already has covid and has had a single vaccine too. I wouldn't be happy for DD1 to miss yet more school. Happy for her to test though.

14 days after one vaccination or positive pcr within the last 90 days are exceptions to the rule here

Well dd is already having her education disrupted as 2 of her A Level subject teachers now have COVID and at least one other teacher has it too.
I fully understand why the school her done this. I am intrigued by how widespread it is though throughout the Country.

@Thedishwasherstacker

Yesterday, Ds(16) tested positive with 2 x LFT, had a PCR in the evening, not had results yet. I thought the advice was that double jabbed and under 18’s could go to work/school etc. Was going to send dd (13) in school Tuesday (off tomorrow as gas leak in school). I will speak to the school tomorrow. When did this new advice come out?

If you're double jabbed and just a close contact then the advice (however sensible it seems) is to crack on and go to school.

But it is still the case that a positive LFT means isolation until the PCR result is received so no, your DS should not be going anywhere until they get a negative result.

...(posted too soon)
but yes, your DD can go to school.

@CallmeHendricks

I wouldn't trust "government advice" on crossing the road, let alone Covid management. Trust your gut.

This. Love this

My County's Director of Public Health has asked children/young people with positive household contacts to isolate for a few weeks now, but the letter also says it's not mandatory. I think they are asked to get a PCR at Day 5. In my school, with PHE advice we are back in masks in corridors/communal areas and optional masks in classrooms, and we have very restricted mixing. Double vaxxed staff have been off for the second time.

Agree it’s harsh to keep siblings at home when said sibling has just had covid. That is going to be a very common scenario just now.

@Frazzled2207

Agree it’s harsh to keep siblings at home when said sibling has just had covid. That is going to be a very common scenario just now.

That is crazy, pointless to do that to dc.

Our LA has sent out messages to Schools today saying they're aware our neighbouring LA has changed this guidance because of high case numbers but they have no plans to do so at present.

They are saying the "risk" associated with children missing more education is greater than the risks attached to covid.

I'd argue that the sibling is also more likely to catch it if they have to stay at home with someone who is positive, rather than being out of the house for a lot of the day.
My eldest got it, I stayed home with him and I got it, because you can't isolate from a 7yo.
OH was out at work all day and did not get it. Youngest at school all day and also did not get it. I don't think it's coincidence that the person home with the isolating one got ill and not the other two! Pretty sure youngest would have got it if they'd had to stay home as they'd have played together.

My teens caught it this summer but I didn't catch it from them so your theory holds some water imo. We ate together but social distanced which they were fine with.

Well my dd is getting fuck all education right now as her teachers are ill. 2 out if 3 subjects have teachers off with COVID. No cover as 6th Form.
I am glad they have reinstated this rule. Just too late.

That's a really interesting point of view @Tinysnickers and not one I've considered.