NHS test and trace in primary

[bonjourmadame]

Just wondered if anyone in a primary school had dealt with NHS test and trace since the changes on Monday? We've just heard a child has had a positive LFT so waiting for confirmatory PCR and then for test and trace to determine close contacts. Just wondering how they do that/whether the whole bubble is going to burst :(

The guidance says that schools will only be contacted by Track and Trace to identify close contacts in 'exceptional cases'. I think that means they simply won't.

Wow. Does that mean they will rely on a 10 year old to tell them who they've sat with or they just don't give a damn about kids spreading/catching covid?

Yup, and a 4 or 5 year old. The guidance also says they assume 'close contacts' will be minimal, and then talks about possibly children staying for a sleep-over, but nothing about school contacts. No more burst bubbles.

Wow (again!). Thanks for the info!

Yes that is also my understanding. Even a reception child would be expected to name their own close contacts- which of course they will not be able to do.

We had a +ve in Y1 yesterday so waiting to see how this plays out.

We're the same, one bubble closed before the 19th, exactly the same scenario after the 19th but the class remained open, children and staff in. In the first example, we have had no further cases in the bubble and everyone has stayed safe, it will be interesting to see how many cases arise from the second- although we probably won't be told!

Well the PCR test came back positive and over 24 hours later we've not heard if anyone has been contacted by t&t so we are all still in school. Feels very limbo - wish they'd just kept the bubble rules for one more week, at least we'd know where we stood!

My LEA told schools to continue following their risk assessments and normal self-tracking for the last week, so in my school a positive result would still mean the bubble closing.

Come September though, a child could have both parents and older siblings all testing positive, and as long as they aren't exhibiting symptoms then they can come to school. And even if they then subsequently do test positive neither myself (double-jabbed) or the other children will have to self-isolate, as school is not counted as being 'close contacts' and children don't have to self-isolate. That's my understanding anyway.

I am keeping everything crossed that levels have dropped significantly over the 6 week holiday. They are the highest they have ever been in my local area.

Gosh yes, September could be interesting...

Our bubble have now been told they may hear from track and trace if the contact lists them as close contacts and provides their details .

We have had a positive lft in two classes since the 19th.

My Head wanted to send the whole bubbles home and keep to the previous rules until the end of term. LEA initially said she could do that but then later changed their advice - they said parents could legally ignore snd send their children in, and could even raise a legal challenge with the LEA.

Consequently, only the single positive case was sent home from each class and other parents were told that it was their choice whether to keep their child at home or not, and just under half chose to do so.

We had the same, tried to close the bubble but were told we couldn't. As it was the last day, we gave parents the opportunity to keep their child at home and have full day zoom. Only 3 did, the rest were sent in.

My reception bubble burst on Wednesday (last day) resulting in 70 children sent home, 4 staff told to isolate (3 have holidays booked), a year 1 bubble also burst with 30 children and 2 staff and this morning I’ve just heard that the nursery have been told of a positive case resulting in another 2 staff and 25 children isolating. Government guidance seems to suggest we don’t need to isolate but the acting Head Teacher has said we must isolate.
Very confusing and distressing.

@fourminutestosavetheworld what are your members of staff doing?

Staff all still in. Only the pupil testing positive needs to isolate, so the rest of the class, including staff, all in.

@FeltCarrot

My reception bubble burst on Wednesday (last day) resulting in 70 children sent home, 4 staff told to isolate (3 have holidays booked), a year 1 bubble also burst with 30 children and 2 staff and this morning I’ve just heard that the nursery have been told of a positive case resulting in another 2 staff and 25 children isolating. Government guidance seems to suggest we don’t need to isolate but the acting Head Teacher has said we must isolate. Very confusing and distressing.

That shouldn’t have happened. Headteachers stopped being responsible for Test and Trace on Monday so your head should not have closed any bubbles and you certainly don’t have to isolate unless you’re contacted by NHS Test and Trace.

Acting HT is now threatening disciplinary action against any member of staff who does not comply with her stance on isolating. As Govt guidance stated that schools could carry on with T&T until the end of term she has done just that.

Guidance didn’t state that. It stated that bubbles could remain until the end of term, but the Test and Trace transferred to NHS on 19th July. Your acting HT needs to get their facts right!