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Dear Parent / Carer
Thank you for your continued support you and your families are doing to control the virus in BwD.
A NEW warning about the need for a coronavirus test even if you don’t have the three classic symptoms of the disease has been issued.
Blackburn with Darwen’s director of public health Professor Dominic Harrison had said there are 11 other milder signs of Covid-19 infection.
They include a runny nose, a persistent headache, shortness of breath and vomiting.
The classic three symptoms which the NHS advises people to look out for are a high temperature, a new persistent cough and a loss of smell or taste.
Prof Harrison issued his alert following new guidance from the World Health Organisation.
He is advising people who display any of the raft of milder symptoms to get a coronavirus test as soon as possible.
Prof Harrison said: “At the moment, national instruction is for people to get tested if they are showing the three main symptoms: a high temperature, a persistent cough or a loss of smell or taste.
“However, many other countries advise residents to seek a test if they have any one of 11 known principal symptoms.
“They include: diarrhoea, a persistent headache, fever and chills, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, and nausea or vomiting. Across Lancashire we’ve seen reports of residents who have only experienced, for example, diarrhoea or a persistent and unusual headache lasting more than 24 hours who later turn out to have a confirmed Covid-19 case.
“With that in mind I am now advising anyone in Blackburn with Darwen who is worried or has any doubts about their possible Covid symptoms to get tested as soon as possible.
“When you are booking a test, if you don’t have the classic symptoms, simply say you don’t.
“A few clicks later on the website, you can then choose the option which says: ‘My local council or health protection team has asked me (or someone I live with) to get a test, even though I do not have symptoms’. Alongside the vaccination programme, testing continues to be one of the most vital tools to help us reduce the spread of infection.”
Professor Harrison advises our community to follow self isolation national guidance until the PCR test is confirmed.
We ask all parents to follow the above advice regarding taking your child for a PCR test if they suffer any of the above symptoms – your child must follow national guidance regarding isolation until the result of the PCR test is known.
As you are aware school breaks for half term on Friday 12th February. School will reopen to keyworker pupils on Monday 22nd February. During the first half of half term we have been requested by central government to continue to track and trace positive covid cases in school. We request parents / carers to ensure you inform school on office@ashleigh.blackburn.sch.uk . If your child has symptoms of COVD and are awaiting a test result or has a positive test for COVID upto and including Monday 15th Feb. This will allow school to track and trace any close contacts and ensure isolation take place for the correct staff and pupils.
Many Thanks for your support in ensuring we as school can continue to support our community in combating the virus through our test and trace processes in school.
Stay safe and well,
Mr. Matthews