Updated Information from Cheshire East Public Health re Covid Symptoms

Advice to Schools for Children Presenting with non-Covid Typical Symptoms

 

In addition to the 3 main Covid-19 symptoms if a child or adult experiences sickness / diarrhoea, headaches, unexplained tiredness, muscle and body aches, nasal congestion and a sore throat they should be advised to speak to the school before attending. An outcome of this conversation may be an agreement to self-isolate at home for 48hrs and request a test if symptoms persist or worsen.  If the test is returned negative and the child / adult has been diarrhoea and fever free for 48hours they can return to school.

 

This update has been circulated as we have had reports from a number of settings where people have had these minor symptoms then have subsequently tested positive so we are suggesting that schools may wish to use this approach as a prevention measure as it may reduce the need to have a whole bubble or year group having to isolate.

 

Growing Evidence from school is that children and adults are presenting with a variety of symptoms and are then testing positive.

 

This information in relation to non-COVID typical symptoms is intended to be helpful by sharing the learning to date of how settings have managed multiple children experiencing these symptoms. The DfE is aware of this advice and are satisfied that this is appropriate information based on the local knowledge of Cheshire East’s Public Health Team.

 

The intention is to strengthen the advice to school and college leaders to be extra vigilant in assessing the risks of staff or students attending who are unwell. This is in line with the government’s guidance re managing infectious diseases in schools, which recommends excluding pupils or staff for 48 hours after symptoms have stopped for a number of infectious diseases. 

 

The school’s risk assessment in relation to a child or member of staff returning to school after non-COVID symptoms should be in the context of the situation and include the following areas of consideration, ie, whether the pupil or staff member:

 

• Has been in contact with any confirmed COVID cases in school
• Is aware of any possible contact with anyone outside school who may have COVID
• Has regularly or previously suffered from this illness
• Would normally stay away from school with their symptoms
• Has similar symptoms to other cases in the setting who have gone on to develop COVID

 

After this assessment you will be able to identify the best plan of action. The decision in each case will depend on the specific circumstances, but could include returning to school, self-isolating for 48 hours or requesting a COVID test.