Briefing for NEU members

Coronavirus: symptoms, testing and self-isolation

This is a summary of the NHS and government guidelines on what steps to take if you develop symptoms or test positive for Covid-19. For more detailed guidance please visit:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

1.         What are the symptoms of Covid-19?

·         A high temperature OR          

·         a continuous dry cough OR                

·         a change or loss of taste and/or smell.

2.         What should I do if I develop symptoms?

If you develop any of these symptoms you must stay home and self-isolate for ten days from the start of the symptoms. Book a test as soon as possible:

Tests for the general public can be booked online at www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test (or by calling 119)

All members of your household should self isolate for 14 days (the extra days account for the incubation period) whether they show symptoms or not. If anyone else in the household starts displaying symptoms, they should get tested. They need to stay at home for at least ten days from when their symptoms appear, regardless of what day they are on in their original fourteen-day cycle.

3.         What does self-isolation mean?

Self-isolation means you must not leave your house for any reason. Members of your household should not leave the house and you should try to minimise contact with other members of your household.

4.        What happens if my test is negative

If you and your household are isolating because you are experiencing coronavirus symptoms, you and your household are able to end self-isolation early if you receive a negative test. However, if you are isolating because you live with someone who has symptoms, you must continue to isolate for 14 days even if you receive a negative test. You may only end isolation early if the person with symptoms in your household receives a negative test.

5.         What happens if I test positive?

If you have a positive test you must inform the school immediately and continue to self-isolate for at least ten days or until you have no fever, whichever is longer. You do not need to continue to self-isolate after ten days if you only have a cough or loss of sense of smell or taste, as these symptoms can last for several weeks after the infection has gone.

If you test positive you will be contacted by the NHS Test and Trace Team who will ask you to share details of all those you have had close contact with from 48 hours before symptom occurred. These people will then be alerted and told to self isolate for 14 days.

close contact includes:

• Household contacts: overnight contacts/ people who spend significant time in the same household as a person who has tested positive

• Face-to-face contact (within 1 metre) with someone who has tested positive, including: being coughed on, having a face-to-face conversation, or having skin-to-skin physical contact, or any contact within 1 metre for 1 minute or longer without face-to-face contact (unless a person was protected by PPE)

• a person who has been between 1 and 2 metres for more than 15 minutes from someone who has tested positive (unless a person was protected by PPE)

• a person who has travelled in a small vehicle or on a plane near someone who has tested positive.

6.         If someone in my household has tested positive

You must self-isolate for fourteen days and get tested if you develop symptoms. You can return to work after fourteen days without symptoms. A negative test for you does not mean you can return to work as you may still develop the virus within the 14 days. You should only get tested if you show symptoms.

7.         If another member of staff or pupil develops symptoms

They should be sent home and should book a test as soon as possible. Members of their household must also self-isolate and get tested if they also develop symptoms. Any siblings, living in the same household, should not be coming to school. The school should alert those staff with whom they have been in close contact, so that staff can be alert to possible symptoms and the school is ready to respond to a positive test. Action does not need to be taken until there is a positive test result.

8.         If another member of staff or pupil tests positive?

The school should seek advice from the London Coronavirus Response Centre (LCRC) and establish which members of the school community they have had close contact with.

Note: Contact tracing is not necessary until there is a positive test and schools should only contact LCRC if there is a positive test.

9.       When should schools consider sending staff or pupils home?

If there is a positive test then the school may have to send a bubble or group of pupils and staff home. This will depend on the number of close contacts within the school. Schools will be advised and supported in making decisions by LCRC conducting a risk assessment with the school.

10.      If I am sent home do I need to get a test?

You do not need to do this straight away; you should only book a test if you develop symptoms.

11.    I have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19

You should be notified of this by NHS Test and Trace and must self-isolate for fourteen days and get a test if you develop symptoms – you can return to work after fourteen days without symptoms.

12.      I have been in contact with someone who has been identified as a close contact

You can attend work as normal - the risk of secondary transmission is low.

13.      Will I lose pay if I am self-isolating?

No member of staff should be penalised for following government guidelines; so there should be no question of losing pay for any of the reasons listed above.

14.   Please let us know of any out - breaks of positive cases in your school by emailing tony.buttifint@neu.org.uk as soon as possible.

We will issue further updates but please do check the NEU website www.neu.org.uk/coronavirus and contact us if you have any concerns about any aspect of this situation.