I've copied and pasted as has school details in. My school is again doing this, it was involved in a pilot before Xmas where they were tested all negative and because of the negative they encouraged a child who was unwell (but not covid symptoms) to stay in school, resulting in a positive covid test, 60 kids testing positive and four parental hospitalisation and one death. Pre Xmas these kids didn't even have to isolate after school, lord knows how many cases were connected, as they all continued to go to the sweet shop and sports training etc however for two months after the school outbreak we were the highest area in our county.
Dear Parent/Carer
As a school we will be taking part in a new study called Daily Contact Testing which is being led by the Department for Health and Social Care through NHS Test and Trace. This letter will explain more about this study but it is important to emphasise that your child’s experience will remain the same as it has been since we embarked on in-school testing in the autumn term. As with our current pilot if they are identified as a close contact with a positive case, they can remain in school, through taking part in repeat testing over a period of seven days. This is only possible through being part of this study. However, as this is a new study we will require fresh consent.
WHY IS THIS STUDY IMPORTANT?
Normally, when we identify a person has COVID-19, the whole group of people that have been in close contact with that person have to go home and self-isolate for 10 days to stop the virus spreading. This can mean lots of people being absent from school or college, but it is important to do this to protect the other people in school and at home.
This study will seek to understand if students and staff can continue to come to school safely after they have been in close contact with a person who is positive for COVID-19, by testing them on school days for 7 consecutive days with Antigen Lateral Flow Device (LFD) rapid tests. If a student does not have a positive result, they will be able to take part in school activities. Students will need to self-isolate at home in the evenings, weekends and holidays.
IS TAKING PART VOLUNTARY?
Participation in the study is completely voluntary. If students do not wish to take part they must continue to follow national guidance and self-isolate if identified as a contact. The school will continue to support students self-isolating at home. If a student chooses to take part in the study, they can change their mind at any time. If they stop taking the tests they must self-isolate for 10 days after contact with the person who tested positive for COVID-19.
WHAT DOES THE STUDY INVOLVE?
When a positive case is identified in school, for example through the twice weekly school testing, the school will be asked to tell the research team those individuals who are taking part in the study that had been in close contact.
Students and staff identified as a close contact who are taking part in the study will be asked to perform COVID-19 tests on school days for 7 consecutive days:
• A rapid test at school every day – this will involve rubbing of a soft cotton bud on the inside of the nostrils to test for the virus. The result is available within 30 minutes.
• A Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test on day 2 and 7 – two PCR tests for the study will be taken on school site. These are similar to the tests performed at the NHS Test and Trace sites. A swab is taken from the nose and throat to be processed in a laboratory. Results of these tests will therefore not be available until after the 7-day testing period.
Unless the rapid test is positive, students and staff will be able to take part in school activities. They will need to continue self-isolating when not at school. Rapid test results will be given verbally by the school if a positive result is found.
Students and staff will be asked to complete a brief survey on day 7 and may be invited to speak to a researcher about daily testing. However, it is not compulsory to complete this survey.
WHAT HAPPENS ON NON-SCHOOL DAYS?
On non-school days students and staff will not receive a rapid test and will be required to self-isolate if identified as a close contact. If the last day of daily testing falls on a Saturday or Sunday, a final rapid test will be needed to complete daily testing on Monday.
WHAT IF A RAPID TEST IS POSITIVE DURING THE STUDY?
A positive result with the rapid test means the individual must follow the national guidance and self-isolate for 10 days.
If someone who is taking the daily tests comes into contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19 again, the tests on school days for 7 consecutive days will restart. If they do not want to do the tests again they can self-isolate as per national guidance.
If a student receives a positive test at any point during the study they will be asked to take an additional PCR test for the study.
WHAT HAPPENS IF THE RAPID TEST IS NOT POSITIVE DURING THE STUDY?
This means students can continue with normal school activities until the next test is due. Students will need to continue self-isolating when not at school.
Sometimes, a student could still have COVID-19, even if they do not have a positive test result. This means everyone should continue to wash their hands, cover their face and maintain social distancing as normal.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS AND RISKS OF TAKING PART?
As this is a new study and has not been done in school before there is an additional risk to taking part as we cannot know exactly what the impact will be. Sometimes a person may still have the virus, even if they do not have a positive test result. However, it is thought they are less likely to spread COVID-19, as they either do not have the virus or have a very low level of virus. It is very important that the national guidance to stop the virus spreading (including social distancing, hand washing, using face coverings) is followed at all times.
Consideration should be given to how taking part in the study may affect the other people in your house or people you see regularly. For example, if you live with another person who has health problems you may decide you would prefer to self-isolate rather than continue attending school/college. This is because the rapid test is best at identifying those who are infectious and most at risk of transmission but there may still be some individuals who have the virus and are not detected by the test.