Covid prevention, testing & isolation guidance
We ask students to do a LFD test twice a week and record their results on this form: https://forms.gle/WrdkNsqNwCmBYPfYA
Please also log the results with the NHS: Report a COVID-19 rapid lateral flow test result - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) This must be done using the barcode on the test kit according to the instructions provided.
Guidance has been updated so that even those who have tested positive within the last 90 days should still take part in regular LFD testing. LFD tests are a reliable indicator of those with a high viral load and who are most likely to be infectious.
Confirmatory PCR tests following a positive LFD test result are temporarily suspended from Tuesday 11 January 2022. This means that anyone who has a positive LFD test result will be required to self-isolate immediately and will not be required to take a confirmatory PCR test.
Face coverings
As of 20 January 2022, it is no longer compulsory for face coverings to be worn in classrooms. Students and staff may, however, continue to wear them if they wish. Face masks are still required in corridors and other communal areas.
We continue to monitor the number of positive cases in school and the wearing of face masks in the classroom remains part of our outbreak management plan to be implemented if necessary.
New self-isolation rules
With effect from Monday 17 January 2022, the self-isolation period for those who get a positive test result has been reduced from 10 to 5 full days, provided they have two negative LFD test results on Day 5 and Day 6. (The day you develop symptoms is Day 0. If you are asymptomatic, the day you get a positive test result is Day 0.)
Students may take LFD tests on Day 5 and Day 6 of self-isolation. If these two tests are negative and they do not have a temperature, they are no longer required to complete 10 full days of isolation, and they can return to school on Day 6. The first test must be taken no earlier than Day 5 and the two tests must be 24 hours apart.
If the result of either test is positive, they should continue to self-isolate until they get negative results from LFD tests on two consecutive days, or until they have completed 10 full days of isolation, whichever is earliest.
Anyone who is unable to take LFD tests will need to complete the full 10 days of self-isolation.
Further information, including examples of when to end self-isolation if you have had Covid-19 symptoms, is available in the stay at home: guidance for households with possible or confirmed COVID-19 infection.
Daily testing for close contacts of a positive case
Adults who are fully vaccinated, or children and young people aged between 5 and 18 years, 6 months, who are identified as a close contact of someone with Covid-19, should take an LFD test every day for 7 days. They should continue to attend their setting as normal, unless they have a positive test result or develop symptoms at any time.
Vaccination for at-risk 5 to 11-year-olds, and booster doses for at-risk 12 to 15-year-olds and all 16 to 17-year-olds
On 22 December 2021, the government accepted advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) that a primary course of vaccination should be offered to children aged 5 to 11 years old who are in a clinical risk group, or who are a household contact of someone who is immunosuppressed. The NHS is working through updated guidance and will set out how this is going to be operationalised shortly.
The JCVI also advised that a Pfizer booster vaccine should be offered to:
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The NHS will communicate how eligible children and young people can get their boosters shortly.
Siblings - guidance from Hertfordshire County Council
There is currently no need for siblings to isolate if another child living in the same household tests positive on a LFT or PCR test, unless they themselves display any symptoms of Covid-19. However, even if they do not have symptoms the sibling should get a PCR test and may remain at home whilst awaiting the result.
Thank you for your support in controlling the spread of Covid-19 within the HGS community.