Public Health England has agreed a six day window after the final day of teaching in which schools are asked to remain contactable so they can assist with contact tracing where necessary. This will allow positive COVID 19 cases to be identified and confirmed by a test and for relevant contacts in school to be traced.
Beyond these initial first six days schools are not asked to play a role in contact tracing.
The DfE have advised that all schools ensure staff, parents and carers are aware of the following information and relevant arrangements regarding positive cases in the holidays:
- For the first 6 days after teaching ends on the 26th March, if a student or staff member tests positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), having developed symptoms within 48 hours of being in school, the school is asked to assist in identifying close contacts and advising self-isolation, as the individual may have been infectious whilst in school.
- Where a student or staff member tests positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), having developed symptoms more than 48 hours since being in school, the school should not be contacted. Parents and carers should follow contact tracing instructions provided by NHS Test and Trace.
In order to ensure we as a school continue to support our community within BwD and help stop transmission of the virus we do ask parents/carers to continue to inform school via covidreporting@bchs.co.uk if your child develops symptoms of COVID 19 or is confirmed positive up to and including Thursday 1st April.
Please note NHS symptoms of COVID 19 are:
- A high temperature
- A new continuous cough or
- A loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
If your child does develop symptoms it is important you book a test for your child.
By following this advice you will enable us as a school to test and trace within the 48 hours of symptoms or a confirmed test. We will then contact other children who have been contacts of the confirmed case within the 48 hours previously and request isolation is followed in line with government guidance.
If your child does develop symptoms from Thursday 1st April and goes on to test positive - national test and trace will provide support and school will not need to be informed as your child has not been in contact with children or staff from school. The National test and trace service will work with you in order to identify contacts who will need to be isolated.