As we continue through the pandemic and new variants of coronavirus develop, it is important that we all follow the latest guidance and work together to try to reduce the spread of the virus.
If someone in your household test positive or if children are confirmed as a close contact to someone who has tested positive they are still allowed to come to school but they are requested to carry out a Lateral Flow Test every day for seven days. If the test is negative, then they can come to school.
If a child receives a positive Lateral Flow Test they must get a PCR test that is negative before they can return to school.
if your child receives a positive PCR test they must isolate for ta least seven days. On day 6 and 7 they can do a Lateral Flow Test and if both testes are negative and they have no temperature they will be abele to return to school on day 7. If they do not do a Lateral Flow Test on Day 6 and 7 they must isolate for the full ten days.
Thank you to everyone who supports the school as this really is a shared effort. Please find below some important reminders of how we can continue to work together to keep our St. Vincent’s family healthy and safe.
· Please be vigilant to the symptoms of coronavirus and book a PCR test immediately if your child displays any of these symptoms.
· If your child has been identified as a possible close contact of a positive case, particularly the Omicron variant, please complete daily lateral flow tests to ensure your child is not carrying the infection into school, as they may be asymptomatic.
· Please keep the school fully updated. We would much prefer that parents were honest about contacts, symptoms and test results, and then follow the government guidance, even if this means some absence. The school will also communicate with you about any confirmed cases within your child’s class.
CORONAVIRUS SYMPTOMS
As a reminder, the main symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are:
a 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
However the symptoms of the newer variants present as a common cold so schools have been advised to have a low threshold of suspicion for cases. Some key symptoms include:
headache
sore throat
runny nose
Thank you so much to everyone who has supported the school with the above. This is greatly appreciated.
OUTBREAK MANAGEMENT PLAN
The actions the school will take in response to cases will vary depending on the number. Please see our Covid Outbreak Management Plan.
If you have any questions or concerns please speak to Miss Coleman, Mrs Duffy or Miss Carruthers. We are here to support you.
