School covid testing tomorrow- query

[blueshiningsea]

My two DCs had covid in November. Not clear from school correspondence or DofE website whether the usual rule of not testing within 90 days of a positive test applies to school testing, which is taking place for us tomorrow morning. Help!

Yes the same rule applies, school asked us to update them if we’ve previously consented but have had COVID within 90 days so they can cancel the test appointment.

My DCs both tested negative well before the 90 days were up, so did I. Have you done LFTs on them at home?

It applies for sure. They may ask but nhs, secure workplaces, care homes are all told not to lft or pcr in 90 days. Its in official guidance. Mine had it in Nov and school have never asked to test them.

Our school correspondence says that the requirement for a negative LFT also applies to those who are within 90 days of a positive test. And it says this is DfE guidance.

It is DfE guidance but its not a rule and lfts are advised against in all other government issued guidance to other workplaces! NHS staff included.

The new guidance for schools says

Even if someone has tested positive for Covid-19 within the last 90 days, they are strongly encouraged to take part in LFD testing on-site or at home once they have completed their isolation period for their prior infection

So our schools are inviting them in.

Our DC also had covid in Nov - I queried with school re the 90 days, but they said no LFT no school!

I guess different schools are making different decisions about this. DC did a LFT today at home which was clear, so fingers crossed for tomorrow!

@PatriciaHolm

The new guidance for schools says

Even if someone has tested positive for Covid-19 within the last 90 days, they are strongly encouraged to take part in LFD testing on-site or at home once they have completed their isolation period for their prior infection

So our schools are inviting them in.

Thank you - where did you find this guidance?

Guidance for schools specifically states they cannot exclude someone for not testing - prior infection or not. My kids have never taken part in testing and our school has tested on site in form since Sept - half school dont test.

If LFTs are advised in order to end isolation after 7 days why would they not be recommended for 90 days after having had Covid?

Our school has issued advice that if kids have had it last 90 days you have to enter it on their system and they go straight to class instead of getting tested.

Here is guidance to nhs:

4.1 Exemptions from routine testing for individuals who have previously tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 within 90 days
Fragments of inactive virus can be persistently detected by PCR in respiratory tract samples following infection, and for some time after a person has completed their isolation period and is no longer infectious.

Asymptomatic staff, patients and residents who do not have severe immunosuppression, and who have previously tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by PCR, should be exempt from routine re-testing, by PCR or LFD antigen tests, within 90 days from their initial illness onset or test date.

Is that up to date? It's been changed since Omicron.

My school are testing any who have given consent and who have had a 90 day gap. In light of new rules we have been told to offer a drop in on Friday.

but they said no LFT no school!

I'm pretty sure they can't say this let alone enforce it

My DDs school won't be testing her in Wednesday as she had covid over Christmas. They also clearly state it is optional but encourage all students to do it.

LFT’s are optional. Schools cannot stop children attending school. My 2 teenage dc’s are doing theirs at home tomorrow as they don’t want to travel into school to do it. They will report results to school in normal way. They are recommended but not mandatory.

My DS was invited but given option to test at school or home, as they’re expecting them to come in on a holiday day he’s opted for home! He was out of isolation 20th December so he was recently positive but did get negative LFTs on day 4 so dont think he’ll test positive now 🤞🏻

If they can, why not? Since Omicron, reinfection can happens more likely than prior, right?
If they didn't test, and they had it asymptomatic, they can spread to others, may results in disruption.

Genuine question, why wouldn't people test? I thought lfts would only pick up a new infection, in which case, that's a good thing?

Genuine question, why wouldn't people test?

I assume they don't want positive lft, since that means they can't attend school and have to get pcr, disrupts their life.

The DfE sent an email out yesterday saying that children should be tested even if within 90 days.

It would be helpful if they hadn't just told schools but had also told parents

@noblegiraffe

The DfE sent an email out yesterday saying that children should be tested even if within 90 days.

It would be helpful if they hadn't just told schools but had also told parents

Its ridiculous, my DD1 finished 10 days of isolating on the 27th, she still tests positive on a LFT.

Then don't give consent, McFarts, it's not compulsory.

@noblegiraffe

Then don't give consent, McFarts, it's not compulsory.

Ive already given consent prior to the holiday, i will ring school in the morning, probably along with 100s of other parents who's DC have had covid over christmas. More crap for schools to deal with.