Covid-19 Information

Update January 2022

As you will be aware, the rules regarding isolation times have changed again.  Please note the following:

  - Children can take an LFD test in the morning before school time on Day 5 and Day 6.  If both of these tests are negative they can return to school on Day 6.  

-  If these tests are still positive, they can return to school on any later day once they have two negative tests 24 hours apart.  

-  Otherwise, they must complete their 10 day isolation before returning to school.

-  These new rules apply to people already isolating.

The information below has not changed:

-  If your child tests positive on a LFD test, they do not need to have a PCR.  The date of the LFD test counts as Day 0 for isolation purposes.

-  If your child has one of the three main symptoms (high temperature, new continuous cough, loss of taste and/or smell) you must isolate them immediately and book a PCR test.

-  All children who are contacts of a confirmed case should take a LFD test every day for seven days and continue to attend school, unless they are symptomatic or have a positive test.  This applies even if your child has tested positive within the last 90 days.

Update November 2021

Updated guidance from the Director of Public Health:

 In view of the high and rising case rates in the borough and in our neighbouring local authority areas, we are now making the general recommendation that if one individual in a household tests positive, any children and young people in that household who attend school or college should:

• Take a PCR test (ideally on Day 3-5 after first exposure), and

• Take a daily LFD test for 10 consecutive days from the date of first exposure

• Continue to attend school provided that their test results (PCR and LFD) are negative

• Self-isolate for 10 full days from the date of the test if any of their test results are positive

• In the event of a positive LFD test result, obtain a confirmatory PCR test

• If the confirmatory PCR test is taken within the two days following the positive LFD result and the PCR result is negative, the young person can return to school/college.

Update September 2021

Regardless of age or vaccination status, anyone who develops any of the three main COVID-19 symptoms (see below) must get a PCR test as soon as possible and isolate until the result is available. People who get a positive PCR test must continue to isolate as usual.

What should I do if my child develops COVID-19 symptoms?

The main symptoms of COVID-19 are:

• new continuous cough and/or
• fever (temperature of 37.8°C or higher)
• loss of or change in, normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)

If your child develops any of these symptoms, you must arrange for them to have a PCR test as soon as possible. A PCR test can be arranged via the NHS UK (www.nhs.uk) website or by contacting NHS 119 via telephone if you do not have internet access.

Your child should self-isolate immediately and they should not attend school.

Please contact the school by phone or email head@aston.cheshire.sch.uk to inform us your child has COVID-19 symptoms and you are awaiting a COVID-19 test.

What should I do if my child has COVID-19 confirmed by PCR test?

Anyone with COVID-19 confirmed by PCR test should self-isolate until the latest of:

• 10 days after the onset of their symptoms, or
• 10 days after their test day if they are asymptomatic

Self-isolation means your child should not go to school, attend any out of school activities or visit a friend’s house. They should not visit any public places, use public transport or go out to exercise. You should not have vistors into the home except for those providing essential care.

Please contact the school by phone or email head@aston.cheshire.sch.uk and inform us your child has COVID-19 confirmed by PCR test. It is really important you let us know if your child has confirmed COVID-19 so we can monitor the number of children with COVID-19 across the school.

What should I do if my child is a contact of someone with COVID-19 confirmed by PCR test?

If your child is aged under 18 years and 6 months and does not have any symptoms of COVID-19 (high temperature, new continuous cough, loss of or change in, normal sense of taste or smell) they do not have to self-isolate as a contact of COVID-19.

They are advised to have a PCR test unless they have had a positive PCR test in the last 90 days. Children aged 5 and under are not advised to take a PCR test unless the confirmed case is someone in their own household.

What should I do if my child has a positive result on a lateral flow device test?

If your child has a positive result on a lateral flow device test, they should self-isolate immediately and you should arrange a PCR test as soon as possible.

Other members of the household do not need to self-isolate whilst you await the PCR test result if they do not have symptoms and are aged under 18 years and 6 months or are fully vaccinated.

What should I do if my child is unwell with signs of an infection but does not have symptoms of COVID-19

Your child should be excluded from school if they are unwell. If concerned you should seek advice from your GP or Pharmacist, they will be able to advise you how long your child should stay off school. Otherwise we would recommend exclusion for 48 hours or until the child is symptom free, whichever is longer. We are not currently advising that preschool children get a PCR test if they do not have the three main symptoms of COVID-19.

In the event of a local outbreak, we may need to reintroduce previous measures such as bubbles and self-isolation if we are advised to do so by public health.

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