Understandably, we often receive questions from parents regarding sickness absence with symptoms of a respiratory infection, including COVID-19.  We know that everyone in our school community wants to do the right thing to prevent the spread of infection so we have put together the following summary from the current guidance to support you. 

What if my child has symptoms of a respiratory infection, including COVID-19

Respiratory infections are common in children and young people, particularly during the winter months. Symptoms can be caused by several respiratory infections including the common cold, COVID-19 and RSV.

For most children and young people, these illnesses will not be serious, and they will soon recover following rest and plenty of fluids.

Very few children and young people with respiratory infections become seriously unwell.

Attending education is hugely important for children and young people’s health and their future.

Children with mild symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat, or slight cough, who are otherwise well, can continue to attend school.

Children who are unwell and have a high temperature should stay at home and avoid contact with other people, where they can.  Parents should phone the school office and give us the child’s name, class and symptoms as per our absence policy.  They can come back to school and resume normal activities when they no longer have a high temperature and they are well enough to attend.

It can be difficult to know when to seek help if your child is unwell. If you are worried about your child then you should seek medical help.

Children aged 18 years and under who have a positive test result for COVID-19

It is no longer recommended that children and are tested for COVID-19 unless directed to by a health professional.

If a child has a positive COVID-19 test result they should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 3 days after the day they took the test, if they can. After 3 days, if they feel well and do not have a high temperature, the risk of passing the infection on to others is much lower. This is because children and young people tend to be infectious to other people for less time than adults.

Children who live with someone who has a positive COVID-19 test result should continue to attend school as normal.