‘Ignore tests if child is unwell’

A DIRECTOR of public health has issued advice calling on schools, parents and teachers to ignore PCR tests if they suspect the child is unwell following the spate of false negatives.

Bath and North East Somerset Council director of public health Becky Reynolds has called on parents and schools to use common sense after there have been some 43,000 false negative PCR tests in the South West, including Bath.

In a council newsletter, Ms Reynolds said: “We are aware that the current situation is making it difficult for parents to determine when their child should return to school.”

The public health expert has written to schools to clarify what students, staff, parents and carers should do if they have received a negative PCR test result for coronavirus following a positive lateral flow device result.

In the letter Ms Reynolds says: “We are aware that the current situation is making it difficult for parents to determine when their child should return to school and would like to remind them of the national guidance.

“If a child still feels unwell after a negative PCR test, they should stay at home until feeling better. Where a child tests negative via a PCR test but goes on to develop Covid-19 symptoms after the test, they should have another PCR test.”

It continues: “Whilst the UKHSA investigation is under way, where a child has the following markers, we advise that they are more likely to have Covid-19 than not, and are treated as potentially infectious for Covid-19: Have displayed Covid-19 symptom/s and/or have been in close contact with a positive case (such as a household member), and Have tested positive via an LFD test (even if they subsequently tested negative on a PCR)

“We recommend they isolate and remain out of the setting for 10 days. The isolation period includes the day symptoms started and the next 10 full days. It should be noted that this is advisory and as such parents are unable to claim the additional Covid payments without a positive PCR test result.

“We are constantly reviewing the advice we issue to schools in line with the national guidance and will provide further information as it becomes available.”