I think my child has covid symptoms, what do I do?
The Department for Education has worked closely with Public Health England (PHE) and NHS Test and Trace to minimise the potential risks of spread. A key part of this is the appropriate use of testing to help identify people who are positive and subsequently their contacts. Testing is available throughout the country and anyone with symptoms can book a test online or over the telephone through 119 to get the certainty they need to protect themselves and those around them. To ensure that testing capacity is prioritised for those with symptoms and to avoid children, students and their families self-isolating unnecessarily, please read the following:
Only get tested if you or family member develop one or more of the main coronavirus symptoms:
· a high temperature
· a new, continuous cough
· the loss or change of their sense of taste or smell,
or
· they are recommended to get tested by a healthcare provider (e.g. GP or nurse)
If a pupil develops one or more of the main coronavirus symptoms described above, only they should be tested. There is no need for their households to have a test, unless they are also symptomatic. As schools and colleges across England return, pupils and students may feel unwell for example with a sore throat, stomach upset or a headache. These pupils and students don’t need to book a test but may need to stay off school and seek medical advice through their GP or pharmacist as usual.
Please help us to help everyone, by ensuring that your child does not attend keyuorker provision while they are awaiting test outcomes. Should you have difficulty accessing a test and your child has any of the symptoms listed above, please keep them at home and inform the school who will advise on appropriate next steps. We will continue to work with parents ensuring that the safety of everyone in our ALP community is paramount.