Swalwell Primary School
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COVID-19 asymptomatic testing for parents/carers
Dear Parents/Carers,
We have received the following advice into school about COVID-19 asymptomatic testing for parents/carers and childcare bubbles. Please take 5 minutes to read.
Undertaking regular, rapid coronavirus (COVID-19) testing helps reduce transmission of the virus. Parents and other adults in households with children at school or college, who do not have symptoms, can now access regular, rapid coronavirus (COVID-19) testing. This includes childcare and support bubbles.
Tests are fast, easy and completely free. There are different ways (I have copied these for you from the .gov website below) for a household, childcare or support bubble to collect their test to take at home, twice-weekly:
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If you have any queries about the tests, and you live in England, please call 119 (free from mobiles and landlines). Lines are open every day from 7am to 11pm.
Children of primary school age (and below) without symptoms are not being asked to take a test.
Testing is voluntary, but strongly recommended to all who are eligible. Alongside the vaccine, washing hands, wearing face coverings, and maintaining social distancing, rapid testing plays a vital role in reducing transmission rates.
Getting into the habit of regular testing as part of our everyday lives will help us all to play our part and do what we can to protect each other.
What does twice-weekly testing involve?
You will be asked to:
•take a test twice a week (every 3 or 4 days apart)
•report every result to NHS Test and Trace on the same day you take the test
Report your test result online or by calling 119.
If anyone tests positive or gets coronavirus symptoms, they should tell the school and:
•self-isolate immediately
•get a PCR test (at a testing site) to confirm the result
•follow the stay at home guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection
A negative result means the test did not find signs of coronavirus. But this does not guarantee you do not have coronavirus, so you should keep following all coronavirus advice including:
•regular handwashing
•social distancing
•wearing a face covering where recommended
I wish for members of my household/childcare bubble to access an asymptomatic testing kit, what do I do?
Get a test through your employer
Your workplace may offer rapid lateral flow testing to you. Contact your employer to find out more.
Take a test at a rapid lateral flow test site
You can take a rapid lateral flow test at a local site. Testing at these sites is assisted, which means you will swab yourself under the supervision of a trained operator.
You may need to book an appointment.
Find your nearest rapid lateral flow test site. https://maps.test-and-trace.nhs.uk/
Collect test kits
You can collect 2 packs of home test kits at a local collection point. Each pack contains 7 tests.
Anyone 18 or over can collect.
Most collection points are open from 1.30pm to 7pm. You can check online if the location is open or busy before you go. You do not need to make an appointment.
Do not visit a collection point outside opening hours, as it may be used to test people with coronavirus symptoms outside these times.
Find your nearest home test kit collection point. https://find-covid-19-rapid-test-sites.maps.test-and-trace.nhs.uk/
Order home test kits online
If you cannot get tested at your workplace, or are unable to go to a test site or collect test kits, you can order a home test kit online.
Do not order online if you can get a test through other methods. This frees up home delivery for those who need it most.
Order rapid lateral flow home test kits: https://www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests
Take care all. Stay Safe.
Regards
Mrs Rachel Hocking
Headteacher