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Saturday 16^th October 2021

Dear Families,

COVID-19 Update

You will probably be aware that the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), previously Public Health England has identified that an estimated 43,000 people in the South West of England, including Gloucestershire, may have been given incorrect negative PCR test results between 8^th September and 12^th October.

Test and Trace is in the process of contacting the people that could still be infectious to advise them to take another test and the local authority is advising that anyone who had a negative PCR test result between 5^th and 12^th October, from any of the DHCS run testing facilities in the county to book a new test as a precaution. 

Given the number of people in our community that have tested positive for COVID-19 over the last 10 days, and the number of people who have been unwell and received a negative PCR test result been 5^th October and 12^th October, I initiated our Outbreak Management Plan yesterday and discussed our situation with local authority and health protection advisors.  We agreed that the PCR results that are due in this weekend will inform our decision making for the week ahead (we currently have 29 members of our community waiting for results).

I ask that all families who are waiting for PCR results to let me know the result as soon as possible.  You can do this by emailing [email protected] or texting/calling me on 07413 173395. 

I will update you at the earliest opportunity tomorrow and let you know if we need to restrict attendance at school due to staff shortages and/or COVID-19 outbreaks - I very much hope that this will not be necessary.  Thank you for your patience and understanding. 

Kind regards,

Alison Godfrey

Headteacher

Important reminders:

For most people, COVID-19 will be a mild illness.

If your child develops symptoms of COVID-19 at any time, however mild, please isolate as a household and book a PCR test for the person with symptoms (even if they have already taken a test). Symptoms of COVID-19 are:

• A new, continuous cough, and/or
• A temperature, and/or
• A loss of, or change to, sense of test and/or smell.

You can book a test through https://www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test or by calling 119. 

UKHSA has stated that this is an isolated incident linked to one laboratory and that there is no evidence of any faults with LFD or PCR test kits themselves and the public should remain confident in using them and in other laboratory services currently provided - all samples are now being redirected to other laboratories

If you get a positive LFD test, it’s important to make sure that you then get a follow up PCR test to confirm you have COVID-19. If you, or your children have symptoms of COVID-19, self-isolate and take a PCR test.

The Government’s website provides further information and advice on how to stay safe and help prevent the spread of covid-19 .