The Department of Education have released the guidelines for children who have symptoms of Covid-19 and also children who are close contacts of someone who has Covid-19.

Our aims are to ensure that everyone in the school community is as safe as possible and that our children will be in school as much as possible and have as normal an experience a possible. We need to all work together as a school community for this to happen.

Please read this very carefully.

🔵 What happens if my child has symptoms of Covid-19?🔵

If your child displays symptoms of Covid-19 they should stay at home. You should book a PCR Covid-19 test for them and they should self isolate until you receive the results. If the result of the test is positive your child should isolate for 10 days from the onset of symptoms.

🔵 What happens if my child is a close contact of someone who has tested positive with Covid-19?🔵

If your child is identified as a close contact of someone with Covid-19 and your child HAS NOT TESTED POSITIVE THEMSELVES IN THE LAST 90 DAYS, they have to stay at home and self-isolate and you should book a PCR Covid-19 test for them straight away. If it is negative they can return to school. You also have to book another PCR test for your child on day 8 after they have been in contact with the person with Covid-19. If this is positive then your child has to self isolate for 10 days from the date of the test. Contact Mrs kealey at the earliest opportunity.

If your child is identified as a close contact and THEY HAVE TESTED POSITIVE THEMSELVES IN THE LAST 90 DAYS then your child can continue to attend school. If symptoms do develop then your child should stay at home and you should book a PCR test for them. Contact Mrs kealey at the earliest opportunity.

🔵 Procedure if a child or adult in a class is positive.🔵

When the school is notified of a positive result we will first consult with the PHA and Department of Education.

Then the following will happen.

1. Everyone in the class stays at home and isolates. Parents should book a PCR test for their children immediately.

2. Isolation should continue until the result is available. If the result is negative the child can return to school.

3. Another PCR test should be booked for day 8 after the last contact with the person with Covid-19.

4. If this test is positive then the child needs to self-isolate for 10 days from the date of this test.

5. If your child has tested positive themselves in the last 90 days and they are in a class in which another person has tested positive, they can continue to attend school. If new symptoms do develop then they should stay at home and you should book a PCR test for them.

With all of the advice coming out from the government, health officials, schools and the Department of Education it can feel like an overload of information and you may also feel worried or anxious if you or your family are close contacts. Please feel free to contact Mrs kealey at anytime to discuss the procedures and guidelines.