Welcome back everyone and a Happy New Year!
We hope you have all had a wonderful winter break and are now settling back into the school routine again.
Given new Scottish Government changes regarding the latest COVID advice, please scroll below for information updates and reference to NHS Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) which may assist parents/families. Please note that due to the fluid situation, ongoing advice may change over time and we will seek to provide updates as any further changes or adjustments are implemented in schools.
Summary of advice changes which would be useful to know in a school context
The school continues with the usual infection controls and risk mitigations as set out via risk assessment guidelines (updated version – COVID RA Balmedie 7.1.22).
In the event of COVID symptoms being present…
- Where any child exhibits any of the main COVID symptoms in school they will be placed into our isolation area and parents will be contacted to collect their child from school to book a PCR test. In the case of this being the main 3 symptoms (continuous cough, high temperature, loss of taste and smell) then all siblings should also be collected from school and the family should isolate pending a PCR test.
- In the case of secondary symptoms e.g. aches, runny nose, headaches etc only the child with these secondary symptoms would require to be collected from school with similar advice to self-isolate and book a PCR test or seek further medical advice.
- If the PCR tests results are positive then those testing positive would continue to self-isolate (still suggested for 10 days but this can be reduced to 7 providing the individual has no fever and returns a negative LFD/LFT test result on day 6 and day 7 of their isolation period).
In the event of no COVID symptoms (i.e. you are a family member or a close contact of someone with COVID symptoms or who has tested positive with COVID)…
- If you are over 18 years and 4 months and have not had 3 vaccinations then you need to self-isolate for 10 days
- If you are over 18 years and 4 months and have had 3 vaccinations or you are under 18 years and 4 months – the alternative to 10 days isolation is that you need to LFD/LFT test daily for 7 days using LFD/LFT test kits. Providing your results remain negative and you do not display any COVID symptoms then you do not require to self-isolate.
- If someone showing no symptoms tests positive on an LFD/LFT test then they should start self-isolation for 10 days as described already above (and those adults with 3 vaccinations or those under 18 years and 4 months can reduce the self-isolation period to 7 days, providing as above, that on day 6 and day 7 of isolation LFD/LFT test readings are negative and no fever or symptoms are present).
Further useful reference to the recent COVID announcements;
NHS Summary of overall changes which started from 6 January
Advice on confirmatory PCR tests where people test positive on a lateral flow device (LFD) test (with no COVID symptoms) they are now not advised to get a PCR test to confirm infection but to follow isolation advice as it applies to them as a positive case – there is an exception for people who may be eligible for the Self-Isolation Support Grant who are advised to take a PCR test to ensure they can confirm their infection to be potentially eligible for financial support.
General Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are these changes retrospective to people asked to isolate prior to 6 January?
No – anyone asked to isolate before 6 January should continue to follow the advice they were given at the time they were asked to isolate. Anyone still to be spoken to will follow the new advice.
If I am daily testing after being exempt from isolation as a critical worker under
the CNI scheme, what guidance should I follow?
The Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) exemption scheme will close on 6 January and be replaced by the population-wide isolation guidance. However, if you were daily testing after being asked to isolate before 6 January and exempt from isolation to attend the workplace you should continue to test and follow the CNI guidance until the end of your isolation period.
If I have a positive LFD/LFT test but I have Covid symptoms, should I take a PCR
test?
Yes, people with Covid symptoms should still continue to take a PCR test, regardless
of whether or not they have a positive LFD/LFT. People who test positive on an LFD/LFTbut have no Covid symptoms should treat that as a positive test and follow the isolation guidance that applies to them.
FAQs About Testing
I have symptoms of Covid-19, do I need to book a PCR test or do an LFD test?
PCR and LFD tests work in different ways to identify people who have COVID-19 infection. If you have any symptoms – a new continuous cough, high temperature or loss/change of taste/smell – you should book a PCR test as soon as a slot is available.
What are LFD/LFT tests for?
You should use an LFD/LFT test twice a week and prior to travelling and socialising with non-household members and vulnerable individuals.
LFDs/LFTs can be used to end isolation early a positive case if you return two consecutive negative LFD/LFT tests taken at least 24 hours apart with the first test no earlier than day 6 and provided you have no fever.
They can also provide a safe alternative to isolation if you are a contact who has received your booster vaccination, or you are aged under 18 years and 4 months. You will no longer have to isolate, but can instead use daily LFDs for 7 days to keep checking for any infection that may be incubating.
If I have symptoms, does my household need to isolate whilst I wait my PCR
results?
Some of your household may need to isolate. If they are not fully vaccinated, they will need to isolate.
If they are a fully vaccinated adult or under 18 years and 4 months, they do not need to isolate as long as they continue to return daily negative LFDs until the test result is received and follow appropriate guidance thereafter.
My PCR was positive, what should members of my household do?
All household members who have symptoms should isolate immediately and book a PCR test.
Fully vaccinated household members (three doses with a final dose at least 14 days ago) and household members aged under 18 years and 4 months may take 7 daily LFD tests as an alternative to isolation so long as they do not have symptoms and they test negative each day;
Anyone aged over 18 years 4 months who has less than three vaccine doses should book a PCR test and, even if negative, isolate for 10 days.
I have a continuous cough but can’t get a PCR slot – what do I do?
You may have to wait a little longer than you normally would, given the demand. You should keep trying as new slots become available on the booking portal throughout the day. We’ve prioritised essential workers for onsite appointments, as well as those at highest risk and those eligible for new treatments. You should continue to self-isolate until you receive your PCR test result.
How long will it be before I get my PCR test results?
Test results are usually returned within 24 to 48 hours, however during times of high demand turnaround times are generally within 72 hours.
I have tested positive on a LFD/LFT test but have no symptoms, do I need a follow
up PCR?
Given the current high incidence and prevalence rates, there is no longer arequirement to book a PCR test to confirm the LFD/LFT positive result.
You should only book a confirmatory PCR if the individual, parent/guardian or carer is planning on applying for the Self-Isolation Support Grant. Eligibility for the grant is that a person earns less than the real living wage, is asked by Test and Protect to isolate and will lose income as a result of isolating.
Where can I get LFD/LFT tests?
LFD tests can be collected at a local pharmacy, collection point, regional and local test sites and can also be ordered online for home delivery.
To find out where please visit this link – Find where to get rapid lateral flow tests – NHS (test-and-trace.nhs.uk)
Do I have to report my LFD/LFT positive result?
Yes, it is crucial you report your test result online as soon as possible, positive or negative. This enables us to understand the prevalence of COVID-19 in the country and, for those with positive results, so the correct advice can be given to you and those you’ve been in close contact with, to prevent onward spread of coronavirus. This only takes a few minutes to do and you can report tests for the current day and the previous day.
I’ve heard LFDs aren’t as reliable as PCRs and you sometimes get false
positives – how effective actually are LFDs?
LFD tests have shown themselves to be a very effective and reliable public health tool in stopping spread of the virus. LFDs have estimated specificity of at least 99.97%, meaning that fewer than 3 in every 10,000 tests will result in a false positive result.
My child is under 5 years old, do they need to do a test if they’re identified as a
close contact?
Under 5 year olds are encouraged but not required to take a test.
I’ve been identified as a close contact, but I’ve had a positive PCR in the last
90 days, should I test?
If you have tested positive on a PCR test within the last 90 days you should take an LFD instead of a PCR test.
FAQs About Self-Isolation
I’m on day 5 of isolation as an index case and I have returned a negative LFD. If I take another on day 6 can I leave isolation early, as long as they’re 24 hours apart?
No, you will only be eligible to end isolation early if your LFD tests are taken from or after day 6, taken 24 hours apart, are negative and provided you do not have a fever.
What does fully vaccinated mean now for the purposes of self-isolation
policy?
Fully vaccinated now means an individual having received both primary doses and a booster dose of an MHRA approved vaccine, plus 14 days for protection to build. You need to have been fully vaccinated by the time the contact occurred, e.g. if the case is in your house you need to have been
boosted 14 days before their onset of symptoms.
Why are 2 doses now not enough to be eligible to end isolation early as a
close contacts?
Whilst 2 doses of the vaccination do provide some level of protection in relation to Omicron, we know that the booster programme offers much higher level of protection than 2 doses of the vaccine. More than 90% of COVID cases in Scotland are now confirmed as Omicron. Given ongoing transmission risk and the need to dampen transmission, 3 doses of the vaccination for individuals is essential to achieving this. Two doses is no longer enough.
Are there different rules for household close contacts and non-household
close contacts?
No, following the policy change, we do not differentiate between household and non-household close contacts.
I have just finished a period of self-isolation as a non-vaccinated close contact
– what happens if I’m identified as a close contact again?
You may be asked by Test and Protect to self-isolate and book a test again if you are identified again as a close contact of another person who is a confirmed case.
It is possible that people will have to self-isolate more than once – perhaps multiple times – if they are identified as a close contact of separate cases on several different occasions.
The best way to reduce the likelihood of being asked to self-isolate is to get your third dose of the vaccine.
I need support whilst I’m self-isolating – what is available?
Workers who earn less than the real living wage and have been asked to isolate by Test and Protect may be eligible for the £500 Self-Isolation Support Grant.
Practical support such as food or essential medicine deliveries are available through the local self-isolation assistance service, and the national Coronavirus helpline – available at 0800 111 4000, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm – to ensure people required to self-isolate have the support they need.
Is there a limit on how many times I can apply for the Self-Isolation Support
Grant?
No. Individuals can claim more than once as long as they meet the eligibility criteria for each individual claim. However, a claim cannot be made more than once for the same period if periods of self-isolation overlap. The initial 10 day self-isolation period must be completed first, before a new claim can be made.
Any continuous period of more than 10 days will only enable one SelfIsolation Grant. Provision outside that may lie with other social security benefits.
I meet the criteria to end isolation early, is there anything else I should be
doing as a precaution?
You should avoid all non-essential contact with people outside your household, wearing a face covering in enclosed spaces, limiting contact with anyone who is at highest risk including not visiting people in care homes or hospitals (unless essential and agreed with care home or hospital staff in
advance) until 10 days after contact with a positive case.
You should continue to take part in twice weekly LFD testing for the general population (beyond any required LFD tests in what would have been your isolation period).
Are there any exemptions to self-isolation close contacts policy?
There are no exemptions for unvaccinated close contacts, all of these individuals will need to self-isolate for 10 days. However, those who are medically unable to be vaccinated or participating in vaccine trials are eligible for the contact self-isolation exemption in line with the fully vaccinated
population.
Why do you specify 18 years and 4 months as the cut-off point before being
viewed as an adult?
As the majority of under 18s are not currently offered a booster setting this age range at 18 years and 4 months ensures that people turning 18 have sufficient time to get their booster once they are eligible.
FAQs About Critical National Infrastructure exemption
Previously, I was allowed to return to work as a close contact due to the
critical national infrastructure self-isolation exemption – does this still apply?
The CNI exemption scheme has now closed as the wider population changes introduced effectively replicate the exemption enabled by the CNI scheme.
During its time of operation, the scheme was vital in ensuring that specific critical national industries were able to operate with the requirements around testing and risk ensuring this was balanced with the health and clinical risks to individuals in the workforce.
Frequently Asked Questions Around COVID Data/Evidence
Why are the Scottish Government making these changes?
We have been considering the current trends in infection and progress with the booster programme carefully, alongside clinical experts. These changes have been made, cautiously, given the high percentage of population protection against COVID-19 due to the booster programme and the evidence
showing strong reliability of LFD tests at detecting any level of COVID-19 infection and at detecting those most infectious.
With record high cases numbers, isn’t this policy change a risk? What
evidence is there behind this?
The UK Health Security Agency’s modelling suggests that a 7-day selfisolation period, when combined with 2 consecutive negative LFD tests starting on day 6 and taken 24 hours apart, has nearly the same impact on risk of an infectious individual being released from isolation as a 10-day self-isolation period without LFD testing.
Risk is further mitigated by the need for the individual to have no fever before they end isolation.
Further NHS Inform points of reference (source of advice) – https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/infections-and-poisoning/coronavirus-covid-19/test-and-protect/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-infection
