CORONAVIRUS/COVID-19 TESTING INFORMATION NOTE FOR PARENTS/CARERS OF PUPILS ATTENDING SECONDARY SCHOOLS
CORONAVIRUS/COVID-19 TESTING
INFORMATION NOTE FOR PARENTS/CARERS OF PUPILS
ATTENDING SECONDARY SCHOOLS
Parents/carers who are resident in the lower Cynon Valley area who have children aged 11 and above attending college or secondary schools other than Mountain Ash Comprehensive School are encouraged to get their children, themselves and other family members tested by visiting the Testing Centres at Abercynon Leisure Centre, Mountain Ash Bowls Club or another pop up test centre. Full details about all the Test Centres and opening times is available at:
www.rctcbc.gov.uk/MassTesting
• Only individuals with no symptoms should attend these Community Testing Centres.
• No appointment is necessary.
THIS IS A BRIEF INFORMATION NOTE TO OUTLINE THE PROCESSES TO BE FOLLOWED IN RELATION TO THE TESTING BEING UNDERTAKEN AT THE COMMUNITY TESTING CENTRES AND THE ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN ONCE THE RESULT OF THE TEST IS KNOWN.
TEST PROCESS
• The initial test will be a lateral flow test. The test involves your child taking a swab from the back of their throat and the inside of their nose using a long cotton bud. This process does not hurt and only takes a couple of minutes. The result from the test will be back within approximately 30 minutes, during which time you will be asked to remain on the testing site (in a safe place, away from others).
POSITIVE TEST
• Anyone who tests positive will be requested to immediately undertake a full follow up confirmatory PCR test. Details of how to access this test will be provided by the Testing Centre.
• Whilst awaiting the result of the PCR test (results usually take approximately 24 hours), your child must self-isolate immediately, along with their household. They must not go to school and household members should not go to work. Do not use public transport or visit any shops or public buildings on the way home and limit contact with others.
• Close contacts will also be traced and must self-isolate whilst the result of the follow up PCR test is awaited.
• If the result of the follow up PCR test is negative, self-isolation for the child, close contacts and household members can end and your child can return to school.
• If the PCR follow up test is also positive, Track and Trace will be in touch to provide further information regarding self-isolation periods for your child, household and other close contacts.
(Your child will need to self-isolate for 10 days from the date of their initial lateral flow test.
Household members and close contacts of your child will need to self-isolate for 14 days from the date of your child’s initial lateral flow test).
Please notify the school of the result of the initial lateral flow test and the follow-up PCR test.
CLOSE CONTACTS OF POSITIVE CASES
• Close contacts of a child who received a positive lateral test flow result will be traced and must self-isolate immediately. If your child is identified as a close contact of a confirmed case, you will be contacted. Your child will need to self-isolate, although members of your household will not need to self-isolate, unless your child becomes symptomatic or has a positive test themselves.
• If the follow up PCR test is negative, your child (as a close contact) can end their self- isolation and return to school.
• If a child has a positive follow up PCR test, close contacts must self-isolate for 14 days from the date of the last contact with the confirmed case. If your child is identified as a close contact, they must not attend school for 14 days. The rest of your household do not need to self-isolate unless your child becomes symptomatic or has a positive test themselves.
NEGATIVE TEST
• Those who test negative to the initial lateral flow test will need to continue to follow current national guidance on social distancing and other preventative measures.
• Please attend Abercynon Leisure Centre or Mountain Ash Bowls Club or another pop up test centre after 7 days to retake the test to ensure that you are still free of Covid-19.
TESTS FOR SYMPTOMATIC INDIVIDUALS
• Only individuals with no symptoms should attend these Community Testing Centres. Individuals with symptoms (a new continuous cough, a high temperature, or a loss or change to taste or smell) should book a test by visiting https://gov.wales/apply-coronavirus-covid-19-test or by calling the free phone number 119 between the hours of 7am to 11pm.