Testing will help pupils stay in school

RAPID result Covid-19 tests are set to be rolled out into schools and colleges across Cornwall in the new year.

Cornwall Council announced the plans for the new tests which will mean that students will be able to continue attending classes even if someone shows symptoms.

Sally Hawken, council Cabinet member for children, wellbeing and public health, said: “We have received notifications that all schools and colleges will be able to access rapid result testing.”

Cllr Hawken said that from January the testing would be available in secondary schools and colleges, initially for students in Years 11 to 13.

It will mean that if a student shows symptoms the whole class will no longer have to self-isolate but can continue attending school or college whilst also getting tested for seven days.

Cllr Hawken said: “Under the current guidelines their school bubble has to self-isolate. These tests now mean that more staff and children stay in classes without the need to self-isolate.”

She said that it was hoped that the testing, which uses saliva, would be rolled out into primary schools in the spring term.

Cornwall director of public health, Rachel Wigglesworth, said that the tests which would be given in schools would be different to those being provided as part of the wider testing programme.

She said: “The lateral flow test in schools is a different test, that is for people who do not have symptoms.

“Instead of them having to isolate at home, these tests will be able to be carried out on a daily basis for seven days.

“That will mean pupils can stay in school and have that daily test rather than being excluded from education.”

Rachel also said that access to testing in Cornwall had improved and that a new testing centre in Truro would help support the other sites and mobile sites currently operating in Cornwall.

In September there had been concerns about the availability of tests with some people saying they were unable to book a test or having to travel long distances.

Rachel said: “Since then there is always capacity where someone needs a test, whether that is going to a mobile site or having a home test.”

She added: “Test availability is really good in Cornwall for people who have symptoms and they are also available at the weekend.”