Dear Parent or Carer

For those attending the drop in for Ms Mann's retirement on 22/10/21, please be informed that we have been notified of a confirmed case of COVID-19.  

Although we met in 15 minute intervals in a well ventilated room and guests were asked to socially distance, as a precautionary measure we advise that you book a PCR test..

Action needed

In line with the national guidance, children aged under 18 years are no longer required to self-isolate if they are a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. Your child and other members of your household can continue normal activities provided your child does not develop symptoms.

As your child/you  may be a close contact, Public Health are asking for you/your child to have a PCR test. This will help us to identify and isolate cases, prevent onward transmission and minimise our case rates in the city.

Please go to www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test to book this test. You will be asked to identify whether your child has COVID symptoms. If your child has no symptoms, you should select ‘No’ for this answer and proceed through the questions until they get to the question:

Why are you asking for a test?

You should select the box that says - I’ve been in contact with a positive person > I found out in another way that I’m a contact option

You can then proceed to book the test.

If this test is positive, they must isolate for 10 days.

Please note:

• Children who are aged under 5 years old who are identified as close contacts will only be advised to take a PCR test if the positive case is in their own household.
• People should not need to be re-tested via an LFD test or PCR test within 90 days of a previous confirmed positive test, unless new symptoms develop, in which case they should book a PCR.

What to do if you/your child develops symptoms of COVID-19

If you/your child develops symptoms of COVID-19, even if they have had a negative test result previously, they must isolate and you should arrange a test for your child via https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-getting-tested or by calling 119.

• If the test result is positive, your child will be required to self-isolate for a period of 10 days from the day that their symptoms started. Please inform us if your child has a positive test result.
• If your child’s test result is negative, they can continue with their normal activities if they are well enough to do so.

Please visit the link to Public Health England’s guidance for households with possible Covid-19 infections:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection

In Salford 

1. We are still advising immediate isolation to anyone who is suffering three classical symptoms, namely: new continuous cough; a high temperature (fever); or a loss of or change in normal sense of taste or smell, or have a positive test result

1. Children who are unwell with any of the symptoms below are not expected to isolate immediately but we would advise that they go for a test to rule out COVID-19.

Non-classical symptoms include: 

• Vomiting/nausea/off your food
• Diarrhoea
• Sleeping more than usual/extreme tiredness
• Listless/restless/agitated
• Shortness of breath
• Feeling cold
• Headache
• Severe body aches
• Sore throat
• Congested or runny nose
• Skin rash
• Complaining of anything that is not feeling themselves
   

1. To book a test please visit www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test and, when prompted, click the box “My local council has asked me to get a test, even though I do not have symptoms” (see below).

Test and Trace Support Payments If a person is asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace and is on a low income, unable to work from home and will lose income as a result, they may be entitled to a payment of £500 from their local authority under the Test and Trace Support Payment scheme.  This now applies to parents/ carers who cannot work from home and will lose income by self-isolating or staying at home to care for the child.

Further details are available via: https://www.salford.gov.uk/benefits/test-and-trace-support-payments/my-child-is-having-to-isolate/

Please remember, although COVID-19 is circulating in the community, usual childhood illnesses are too; and it is important that these are not missed. Please contact your GP or NHS111 if you are worried; or call 999 if seriously unwell.

If you have any questions or concerns please refer to the government website, or call The Spirit of Salford Helpline on 0800 952 1000 Further information is included in the information sheet below.

Best wishes

Lisa Thelwell

Information sheet

If you think that someone in your household has come in contact with a confirmed case or you need help or advice about self-isolation, please call the Spirit of Salford helpline on 0800 952 1000.

Public Health Advice on symptoms

If anyone in your household becomes unwell with one of the symptoms of Coronavirus (COVID-19) please isolate them immediately and book a test by ringing 119 or go to  https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing-and-tracing/get-a-test-to-check-if-you-have-coronavirus/

Information about COVID-19 symptoms and management of the virus can be found here, www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

How to stop COVID-19 spreading

There are things you can do to help reduce the risk of you and anyone you live with getting ill with COVID-19

• wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
• use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
• wash your hands as soon as you get home
• cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
• put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards

Further Information

Further information is available at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/