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Covid

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Covid in school

28 replies

Mum32021 · 18/10/2021 12:22

My dd had covid back in the summer, covid is now in her class waiting for pcr from child to see if we all get the email asking to pcr our children, now as dd had it and its not been 90 days I shouldn't have to pcr her again, will the school let me send her in anyway or tellbme keep her off for the 10 days as I shouldn't test her again?

OP posts:
Madcats · 18/10/2021 12:26

I would send her in with a copy of the email you would have received from Test & Trace when she tested +ve in the Summer. Assuming that she is well.

FWIW DD tested negative after about a fortnight of having Covid (doing PCRs for research and LFTs for school).

layby · 18/10/2021 12:53

Ds got cough around one month and half after he had recovered from covid. Wr just took him to pcr test and it was luckily negative.

itsallgoingpearshaped · 18/10/2021 12:59

You're not supposed to PCR test within 90 days of having had it. The school will know this. Just remind them she's had it and won't be doing a PCR right now.

Whatelsecouldibecalled · 18/10/2021 13:01

You don’t PCR for close contact anymore. Only if the show symptoms. So provided DD is symptom free then no pcr needed

callmeadoctor · 18/10/2021 13:27

NHS Test and Trace will contact you to let you know that you have been identified as a contact and check whether you are legally required to self-isolate. If you are not legally required to self-isolate you will be provided with advice on testing and given guidance on preventing the spread of COVID-19. Even if you do not have symptoms, you will be advised to have a PCR test as soon as possible. Children aged 4 and under will not be advised to take a test unless the positive case was someone in their own household.

callmeadoctor · 18/10/2021 13:29

As poster have said not in 90 days, but Whatelsecouldibecalled the above reads to me that you still have to PCR test after contact?

callmeadoctor · 18/10/2021 13:31

You should not arrange to have a PCR test if you have previously received a positive PCR test result in the last 90 days, unless you develop any new symptoms of COVID-19, as it is possible for PCR tests to remain positive for some time after COVID-19 infection.

Even if you are vaccinated, you can still be infected with COVID-19 and pass it on to others. If you are identified as a contact of someone with COVID-19 but you are not required to self-isolate, you can help protect others by following the guidance on how to stay safe and help prevent the spread. As well as getting a PCR test, you may also consider:

limiting close contact with people outside your household, especially in enclosed spaces
wearing a face covering in enclosed spaces and where you are unable to maintain social distancing
limiting contact with anyone who has an underlying health condition that puts them at higher risk of severe illness if infected with COVID-19
taking part in twice weekly LFD testing
This advice applies until 10 full days after your most recent contact with the person who has tested positive for COVID-19.

If you are a health or social care worker who has been identified as a close contact and are exempt from self-isolation, there is additional guidance available that you should follow to reduce the risk of spread of COVID-19 in these settings.

Children and young people aged under 18 years 6 months who usually attend an education or childcare setting and who have been identified as a close contact should continue to attend the setting as normal. They do not need to wear a face covering within the setting, but it is expected and recommended that these are worn when travelling on public or dedicated transport.

If you develop symptoms at any time, even if these are mild, self-isolate immediately, arrange to have a COVID-19 PCR test and follow the guidance for people with COVID-19 symptoms.

I think I have had contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, but I have not been notified and advised to self-isolate. What should I do?
Contacts who need to self-isolate will usually be notified and advised to do so by NHS Test and Trace, including by the NHS COVID-19 app. If you believe that you are a contact of someone with COVID-19 but have not yet been notified by NHS Test and Trace, you should carefully follow the guidance on how to stay safe and prevent the spread of COVID-19. In this circumstance you can arrange to take a PCR test, even if you do not have symptoms, because you may be at higher risk of being infected.

BunsyGirl · 18/10/2021 13:42

Close contacts should still get PCR tests. In fact, my DCs school has asked a whole class to get a PCR test as they’ve had such a big outbreak in that particular class and are saying that makes everyone a close contact.

Dancerinthedark01 · 18/10/2021 13:49

Does the school follow up on the PCR test? My child's whole class got asked to do the PCR test today because 1 child has Covid and is now off.

This class has had 1- 2 children infected quite a lot over the last near to two years - and none of the other kids have ever come down with Covid.

I really can't be arsed to get my child tested - they're not actual friends and don't sit near the infected kid.

Mindymomo · 18/10/2021 13:49

Anyone who takes a PCR test within 90 days of previous infection stands a chance of the test coming back positive as virus may still be in their system but it doesn’t mean it’s a new infection or indeed if that person is infectious and that’s the reason why you shouldn’t test within those 90 days.

Abitodd · 18/10/2021 14:14

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn at OP's request.

Kb2942 · 18/10/2021 15:06

I don't think testing is compulsory and having had covid less than 90 days ago. I don't think the shcool can force testing for contacts so I'd just send her and keep an eye on symptoms.

Back in the summer there was a case in DS's class - back when they all had to isolate! School told us we had to do pcr tests. I refused as Ds still had to isolate for 10 days regardless. Difference scenario but my point stands about not being compulsory.

Mum32021 · 18/10/2021 15:38

@whatelsecouldibecalled our school asks that all students do a pcr if they are in that class.

OP posts:
layby · 18/10/2021 15:47

@Mindymomo Ds had bad cough and school kept saying we need to test him. He wasn't unwell otherwise. It wasn't 90 days after infection but luckily got negative and school stopped pestering.

Horst · 18/10/2021 16:37

Not asking for pcr’s here however I did carry out a flow test once home today one of the newer ones and she’s negative with no symptoms.

LemonCake79 · 18/10/2021 16:48

[quote Mum32021]@whatelsecouldibecalled our school asks that all students do a pcr if they are in that class.[/quote]
@Mum32021, this happened at our school and it must have been queried because there was a follow up email stating children who have had a positive PCR in the last 90 days should not test again.

Maybe query the instruction with school?

That said it's all advisory anyway, there were plenty of children in DS's class who didn't test.

StillSadAboutTiffanyMitchell · 18/10/2021 16:57

Our school asks that every child in a class with a case does a test but does state that you aren't to do one if you've tested positive in the past 90days.

It is only guidance/advice that you test when a contact anyway so there's no way they can refuse your child coming into school. We had a letter last week stating that the class are to be tested and I didn't get my son tested.
I don't agree with testing well children, especially since that only tells you that you're negative at that point. We haven't been refused entry to school, in fact - they haven't even checked who has been tested never mind the results.

beachbabyy · 18/10/2021 17:22

Our school knows about the 90 days, they send out a blanket email for ease but they attach the gov guidelines too. If they don't just tell them.

Whatelsecouldibecalled · 19/10/2021 10:57

Schools cannot demand a pcr for a close contact. It is against the government guidance. They can advise one. But not demand one. Up to you to take the advice or not

3asAbird · 20/10/2021 05:49

Think its guidance not mandatory.
Plus you not meant repeat pcr after covid within 90days and be unlucky get it twice within that time frame.

WholeClassKeptIn · 20/10/2021 05:56

My eldest has 2 cases in her class and we've not been told to test. Or even about them its only because my daughter knows!

I know of several parents in my youngest's school and at least one child and a probable teacher but not being told.

It really is expected kids all continue as normal isn't it.

ChangingStates · 20/10/2021 06:23

I work in a school and deal with the Covid cases. The only time you have to keep your child at home is if they have symptoms. The guidance is that close contacts are asked to get a PCR, but children can keep coming to school while waiting for results and they can still come to school if they don't have a PCR as a close contact, unless they develop symptoms. So yes, do let the school know as she is less than 90 days free of COVID, but even if she wasn't the guidance is she can go to school anyway.
Unless your school has put in their own policy which differs from nhs/public health one.

Iggly · 20/10/2021 06:24

@WholeClassKeptIn

My eldest has 2 cases in her class and we've not been told to test. Or even about them its only because my daughter knows!

I know of several parents in my youngest's school and at least one child and a probable teacher but not being told.

It really is expected kids all continue as normal isn't it.

Yes. It’s disgraceful. Schools are not doing contact tracing anymore. So it relies on the parents of positive cases being able to identify close contacts?!? How the government expected that to work - especially in secondary schools when parents tend not to know each other.

Appalling

3asAbird · 20/10/2021 06:50

I just don't understand why they come in when awaiting Pcr test if they had symptoms that led to test stay at home until negative.
Its not even like they vaccinated.

Anyone baffled how under 18s non vaccinated has the same status as double vaccinated adult.

toomuchlaundry · 20/10/2021 06:56

If there are a number of cases in a school they may need to implement their outbreak policy and will be advised by DfE or PHE. This is where the requirements for PCR tests, reintroduction of bubbles can come from

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