Covid update - 11.01.2022
From Tuesday January 11th 2022 the government have issued new guidelines for testing.
A child or staff member with one of the 3 main symptoms of Covid-19:
1. a new continuous cough and/or
2. high temperature and/or loss of, or
3. change in, normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)
must self-isolate and get a confirmatory PCR test. Household members should also isolate, unless they are fully vaccinated or under 18 and six months, until the results are known.
LFDs should not be used to rule out infection in symptomatic people.
Confirmatory PCR tests to be temporarily suspended for positive lateral flow device (LFD) test results
Confirmatory PCR tests following a positive lateral flow device (LFD) test result are to be temporarily suspended from Tuesday 11 January. This will mean that anyone who receives a positive LFD test result will be required to self-isolate immediately and will not be required to take a confirmatory PCR test
Information on the changes to the self-isolation period for individuals who test positive for COVID-19
Since Wednesday 22 December, the 10 day self-isolation period for people who record a positive PCR test or an LFD test result for COVID-19 has been reduced to 7 days in most circumstances, unless you cannot test for any reason.
The reduction in the isolation period can occur by taking LFD tests. The first LFD test must be taken no earlier than day 6 of the self-isolation period and tests must be taken 24 hours apart. This also applies to children under 5, with LFD testing at parental or guardian discretion. If both these test results are negative, and you do not have a high temperature, you may end your self-isolation after the second negative test result and return to your education or childcare setting from day 7. You must have taken the test in the morning of these 2 days.
Daily testing for close contacts of COVID-19
People who are fully vaccinated, or children and young people aged between 5 and 18 years and 6 months, identified as a close contact of someone with COVID-19, should take an LFD test every day for seven days and continue to attend their setting as normal, unless they have a positive test result or develop symptoms at any time.