3rd June 2021Mr Bennett
Mortimer Primary School
Excellence for all
Year 2 COVID19 Update – 4.6.21
Apologies for the late communication.  

We have been working throughout the last 48 hours to clarify the situation created by South Tyneside Council’s Public Health Team request for PCR tests and the subsequent raised questions.

Again we must stress that this is not a direction from the school and we do not require any results from any COVID19 tests at this time.

Any questions or concerns regarding the information shared should be directed, via email, to the Public Health Team at [email protected]

They have attempted to clarify the following:

  • Individuals who have been in contact with someone who’s tested positive can now access a free PCR test at https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or by calling 119.
  • Your child does not need to have symptoms to access this free test, simply request a test as your child has been identified as a close contact of a confirmed case.
  • A free PCR test can be accessed using the link above if your child or anyone in the household starts to display symptoms, and you will be advised following a positive result of a new isolation period.
  • Any child who has completed their 10 day period of isolation and not displaying symptoms can return to school.
  • The advice to ask all close contacts to get tested is being given via NHS Test and Trace as well as local public health teams to prevent further onward transmission and detection of asymptomatic cases (those not displaying symptoms).

Children in Year 2 should return on Tuesday 8th June as originally stated. This has not changed from our original communication.

Thank you for your understanding at this difficult time.

 
Phone: 0191 455 4504
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.mortimerprimary.co.uk

 

Below is the original update.

 

Dear Parent/carers,

Year 2 pupils currently self-isolating

Your child has recently been asked to self-isolate after a positive case of Covid-19 was identified at Mortimer Primary School.

South Tyneside Council thank you for adhering to this important public health action to prevent transmission both within the school and wider community.

Individuals who have been in contact with someone who’s tested positive can now access a free PCR test at https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or by calling 119.

South Tyneside Council’s Public Health Team and PHE are working to detect further cases of COVID, limit onward spread and reduce the impact it may have on local communities.

There is a change in policy regarding returning to school or work and the Health Protection Agency is now asking that all close contacts get a PCR test near the end of their isolation period despite not showing any symptoms.

South Tyneside Council’s Public Health Team and PHE are now advising that your child takes a PCR test prior to the end of their period of self-isolation.

This additional testing will ensure reductions in any possible transmission within the school and reassure you and your child. If a negative test is recorded, then your child will be able to return to school when their period of self-isolation is complete.

This highly precautionary approach will allow detection of any additional cases within the wider community and reduce possible transmission.

If you have any further queries, please contact your own GP, South Tyneside Public Health or Public Health England. As a school, Mortimer Primary are unable to answer individual queries related to this change.