Covid-19 Information
Please find below the latest guidance regarding Covid symptoms and absence management.
Summary points:
- Testing is no longer advised
- If you experience symptoms (detailed below) but have not tested, you are advised to stay off school / work if you feel unwell. Return to school / work when you feel well enough and you no longer have a high temperature
- If you have symptoms and have tested positive, under 18s are advised to stay home (or work from home if able to) for 3 days after daking the test
- If your child is absent from school please phone / email school to advise
What key changes have there been in the guidance?
There are a number of key changes outlined in the guidance, such as:
Testing access - from 1st April free universal testing ended, meaning it will only be provided for certain groups from now on, including;
- Patients in hospital, where a test is required
- People who are eligible for COVID-19 treatments because they are at higher risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19
- Individuals who live or work in high-risk closed settings, for example, in some NHS and social care and prison settings, where infection needs to be identified quickly to minimise outbreaks
Symptoms of respiratory infections, including COVID-19
Respiratory infections can spread easily between people. It is important to be aware of symptoms so you can take action to reduce the risk of spreading your infection to other people.
The symptoms of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections are very similar. It is not possible to tell if you have COVID-19, flu or another respiratory infection based on symptoms alone. Most people with COVID-19 and other respiratory infections will have a relatively mild illness, especially if they have been vaccinated.
If you have symptoms of a respiratory infection, such as COVID-19, and you have a high temperature or you do not feel well enough to go to work or carry out normal activities, you are advised to try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people.
Symptoms of COVID-19, flu and common respiratory infections include:
- continuous cough
- high temperature, fever or chills
- loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell
- shortness of breath
- unexplained tiredness, lack of energy
- muscle aches or pains that are not due to exercise
- not wanting to eat or not feeling hungry
- headache that is unusual or longer lasting than usual
- sore throat, stuffy or runny nose
- diarrhoea, feeling sick or being sick
When children and young people with symptoms should stay at home and when they can return to education
Children and young people with mild symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat or slight cough, who are otherwise well, can continue to attend their education setting.
Children and young people who are unwell and have a high temperature, should stay at home and avoid contact with other people where they can. They can go back to school, college or childcare and resume normal activities when they no longer have a high temperature and they are well enough to attend.
For futher information please click on the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/people-with-symptoms-of-a-respiratory-infection-including-covid-19
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/symptoms/coronavirus-in-children/
