Covid-19 (April 2022)

Positive cases on the increase in Gloucestershire
 
Local data indicates that positive cases of covid are on the increase. We are also entering flu season and many of you will have read about this year's concerns about co-infection. The guidance for managing these respiratory infections remains the same.
 
The main messages are:
  • Vaccination is the most effective strategy for minimising the impact of these infections
  • Maintain good hygiene regimes
  • Keep children at home if they are unwell
The Government has removed remaining domestic restrictions in England. The following guidance is taken from the Government website:
 
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-safely-with-respiratory-infections-including-covid-19
 
The Government guidance was updated in June 2022 and includes an easy read document that provides guidance on how to live safely with respiratory diseases, including covid.
 
There are still steps you can take to reduce the risk of catching and spreading Covid-19:
  • Get vaccinated
  • Let fresh air in if meeting indoors, or meet outside
  • Consider wearing a face covering in crowded, enclosed spaces
  • Practise good hygiene - wash your hands, cover your coughs and sneezes, clean your surroundings frequently 
If you have symptoms of a respiratory infection, such as Covid-19, and you have a high temperature or do not feel well enough to go to work or carry out normal activities, you are advised to try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people..
 
Symptoms of Covid-19, flu and common respiratory infections include:
  • continuous cough
  • high temperature, fever or chills
  • loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell
  • shortness of breath
  • unexplained tiredness, lack of energy
  • muscle aches or pains that are not due to exercise
  • not wanting to eat or not feeling hungry
  • headache that is unusual or longer lasting than usual
  • sore throat, stuffy or runny nose
  • diarrhoea, feeling sick or being sick
If you have symptoms of a respiratory infection, including Covid-19, and have not taken a Covid-19 test - Try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people.
 

When children and young people with symptoms should stay at home and when they can return to education

Children and young people with mild symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat, or slight cough, who are otherwise well, can continue to attend their education setting.

Children and young people who are unwell and have a high temperature should stay at home and avoid contact with other people, where they can. They can go back to school, college or childcare, and resume normal activities when they no longer have a high temperature and they are well enough to attend.

All children and young people with respiratory symptoms should be encouraged to cover their mouth and nose with a disposable tissue when coughing and/or sneezing and to wash their hands after using or disposing of tissues.

Children and young people aged 18 years and under who have a positive test result

It is not recommended that children and young people are tested for COVID-19 unless directed to by a health professional.

If a child or young person has a positive COVID-19 test result they should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 3 days after the day they took the test, if they can. After 3 days, if they feel well and do not have a high temperature, the risk of passing the infection on to others is much lower. This is because children and young people tend to be infectious to other people for less time than adults.

Children and young people who usually go to school, college or childcare and who live with someone who has a positive COVID-19 test result should continue to attend as normal.