Management Information Sheet

Confirmatory PCR tests guidance published

On 11 January the advice regarding confirmatory PCR tests for people who have a positive lateral flow device (LFD) test result changed. We wish to signpost you to the supportive guidance Stay at home: guidance for households with possible or confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) infection which was updated on the same date.

The new guidance clarifies;

• LFD tests are used for people who do not have symptoms of COVID-19. If you take an LFD test and the result is positive, it is important you report the result to your setting and to the NHS and isolate as per guidance. There is now no need to take a follow-up PCR test.
• If you have any of the main symptoms of COVID-19, even if your symptoms are mild, stay at home and arrange to have a PCR test. You do not need to take a PCR test if you are already isolating due a positive LFD test.
• If you are self-isolating because of a positive test result but did not have any symptoms, and you develop COVID-19 symptoms within your self-isolation period, you do not need to start a new self-isolation period.
• If you develop COVID-19 symptoms at any point after ending your first period of self-isolation you and your household should isolate and follow the guidance again.

Changes to self-isolation rules

Anyone who develops symptoms or tests positive for Covid must immediately self-isolate.

From Monday 17 January, people who test positive are able to leave self-isolation after five full days, subject to having a negative LFT result on day five and day six.

The day symptoms begin or you test positive is day zero. The next day is day one of your isolation period.

You can take your first test on day five. If it is negative, you can take another on day six. Assuming this is also negative - and you do not have a temperature - you can immediately leave isolation.

The rules apply whether you are vaccinated or not.

Face coverings

The Actions for schools during the coronavirus outbreak guidance has been updated in regard to face coverings.

From 20 January, face coverings are no longer advised for pupils, staff and visitors in classrooms. From 27 January, face coverings are no longer advised for pupils, staff and visitors in communal areas.

From 27 January, staff and pupils should follow wider advice on face coverings outside of school. Face coverings are still advised for transport, crowded and enclosed spaces.

Working from home

School leaders are best placed to determine the workforce required to meet the needs of their pupils. The government is no longer advising people to work from home if they can.

The NCC Management of cases guidance (sections 10, 11, & 12) details when this may be considered, however it recognises that in many educational roles this will not be possible.

Flexible learning approaches

Although nationally we have seen a significant drop in cases, the virus is still with us and our core preventative measures of Hands, Face, Space, and Fresh Air are as important as ever.

In response to staff absences settings have shown great commitment in remaining fully open.

We have seen some very good examples of settings making use of flexible learning options to continue face-to-face education for example joining two different year groups together to resolve a teacher absence and others such as those detailed in the studies published by the DfE. It is very unlikely that a setting will be advised to close classes by public health colleagues as a response to an outbreak, and face-to-face education remains a priority for all but especially for vulnerable young people.

Updated NCC guidance

Please note the following guidance has been updated on the Norfolk schools Health, safety & wellbeing website to reflect recent changes in isolation requirements and use of face coverings;

• Your health and your safety when working in educational settings - Minor updates to reflect testing changes and clarify when individual risk assessments should be reviewed.
• Isolation requirements flow chart
• FAQ - COVID 19 Case Management for 2021 2022 Academic Year
• Letter templates
• Management of cases and testing guidance
• Compliance code for educational settings