IMPORTANT MESSAGE RE PCR TESTING OVERNIGHT THURSDAY 17^TH JUNE 2021

Dear Parent/Carer,

As you will be aware Cheshire West and Chester Council is currently experiencing an increase in cases of COVID-19.  It is likely that this increase has been caused by the Delta variant, a variant that is more transmissible.  A small number of cases that are likely to be the Delta variant have been identified within the school community.  In response to this situation Cheshire West and Chester Council Public Health Team are recommending that all pupils and staff take a PCR test, even if they do not have symptoms of COVID-19 (unless they have tested positive in the past 90 days).  The purpose of this test is to identify anyone who does not have symptoms but is infectious at an early stage to prevent any further spread of the virus.

To make testing as easy as possible we will supply every pupil with a PCR home testing kit on Thursday.

Students should complete the test on Friday morning before school and bring the completed test back to school the same day.

Students with the support of parents/carers should follow the instructions in the test kit, which explain how to complete and package up the test.  Each parent/carer will then need to support their child to register the test kit by visiting https://test-for-coronavirus.service.gov.uk/register-kit, test kits can be registered the night before the test is completed if needed.

Pupils do not need to self-isolate while waiting for the test results unless:

• They develop symptoms of COVID-19 - a high temperature, or a new and continuous cough, or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
• Someone you live with develops symptoms or tests positive for COVID-19
• They are contacted by the school or NHS Test and Trace and advised to self-isolate

If your child does not want to be tested could they please return the unused test kit to school on Friday morning where it will be collected when students arrive in school.

Once the test has been completed if the results are positive you should contact the school to enable them to complete any contact tracing that is required and you should keep your child at home.  You should also work with NHS Test and Trace when they make contact to identify household and social contacts in the two days before the test was completed. If you have any questions, please contact school.

Yours sincerely,

Public Health

Cheshire West and Chester