Following the Government announcement on the 21st February about changes to the national approach to Covid, I would like to clarify some of the processes and expectations as they relate to Eastbrook School community.
In simple terms, asymptomatic testing has now ceased. Previously we were testing students three times each week to ensure that we identified asymptomatic cases and prevented the spread of the virus among our community. This will no longer be the case unless directed by Public Health as part of a response to a local outbreak.
As a result, it is now essential that we are all vigilant to any Covid consistent symptoms that we may develop. As we all know they include:
- high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
- a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
- a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you’ve noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal
… along with other associated signs like prolonged headaches, and cold like symptoms.
If you display any of these symptoms it is essential that you do not come to school and arrange a lateral flow test ASAP. If it is positive, you are still required to isolate for a minimum of 5 days.
N.B. People self-isolating with COVID-19 will have the option to cease their isolation period after 5 full days from the day of the original test if they test negative on both day 5 and day 6 and do not have a temperature
If tests continue to be positive you should return to school after day 10 provided you are not displaying symptoms.
If a child is displaying Covid like symptoms while at school, they will be required to conduct a lateral flow test and if it is positive they will be required to follow the guidance above immediately.
Given the potential for the rapid transmission of Covid in a school environment, I would ask that all members of our community pay careful attention to this guidance and ensure that they act cautiously and responsibly if they are in any doubt that they may be positive for Covid.
Further information and guidance can be found through the link below