Greenhill Primary School
Gallwn Gyda'n Gilydd Together We Can
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Self-Isolating Latest Advice
Parents/carers,
As I’m sure many of you are aware we are currently experiencing significant levels of illness in the school. This has meant that we need to contact parents when children show any symptoms linked to Covid-19 whilst in school. Therefore we felt it would be useful to share the latest guidelines regarding self-isolating and when to get a PCR test.
Changes from 29 October 2021
If you develop COVID-19 symptoms at any point, no matter how mild, regardless of your vaccine status and you are over age 5, you should immediately self-isolate and arrange a COVID-19 PCR test and self-isolate for 10 days if the test is positive.
Self-isolation means that you do not leave the house. You should self-isolate straight away if you have symptoms and until you receive the results of a COVID-19 PCR test.
Fully vaccinated or aged 5 to 17
If someone in your household has symptoms or has tested positive you should self-isolate and take a PCR test. If your test is negative you can stop isolating. PLEASE NOTE, an LFD test is not sufficient in these cases. Lateral flow tests are not good at finding the virus in people who aren’t infectious yet (i.e. early in the infection). The PCR tests are better at finding very small amounts of the virus, especially early in infection, so these are used primarily in people who have symptoms and can be booked through the NHS website.
Not fully vaccinated
If someone in your household has tested positive and you are not fully vaccinated you should self-isolate for 10 days. You should take a PCR test on day 2 and day 8. You should self-isolate for 10 days even if your tests are negative.
Children aged under 5
Children aged under 5 do not have to self-isolate or take a test if they have been a contact of a positive case. They can get tested if parents feel that a PCR test is necessary and in the best interests of the child. However, we advise that children who show symptoms should be kept home from school or childcare until they are well enough to return.
Shared child responsibility during self-isolation
Child with symptoms or who has tested positive
Parents and guardians should avoid moving a child with COVID-19 symptoms or who has tested positive, between households.
If parents and guardians share responsibility of the child, the child should stay with 1 family for the time they need to self-isolate. This is to reduce any possible spread of the virus.
If it is not possible to stay with 1 family, the child can move between both households. The child must continue to self-isolate for the full 10 day period. Anyone in the household they leave must self-isolate for 10 days unless they are exempt (as defined earlier in this guidance). Anyone in the household they go to must start their 10 day self-isolation period when the child arrives, unless they are exempt.
We greatly appreciate your understanding, patience and cooperation as we work together to keep everybody safe and well in these challenging circumstances.
Regards,
S Holloway
Deputy Headteacher