Letter re : new antigen testing programme

RE: NEW ANTIGEN TESTING PROGRAMME

29 November 2021 

Dear Parents/Guardians, 

I’m writing to you with information about the government’s new antigen testing programme for schools which commences today.

Please note that the government’s advice continues to be that the most important way to protect against any onward spread of infection is that if your child has any symptoms of COVID-19, including a new cough, shortness of  breath, high temperature, sore throat, they should self-isolate at home and you should book a COVID-19 PCR test for them. 

PCR tests can be booked here:  https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/covid19/testing/get-tested/ 

Also, according to government advice, children who have symptoms should not use antigen tests, they should stay at  home and a PCR test for Covid-19 will need to be organised. If a parent/guardian has any concerns about their child they should contact their GP, as per normal.  

So here’s the latest plan:

• From today (29 November onwards), if you receive a positive (detected) PCR  COVID-19 test result for your child, you are requested to contact me immediately with this information.  You can do so via email (cashelgirlsschool@gmail.com) or through the school office (062-61833).  
• I will then contact the parents of the other children in your child’s pod (table) to give them details of how they can order free antigen tests for their child using a Freephone number.
• I will not be sharing any personal information relating to any other child with parents. 
• Please be assured that the email above will be monitored outside of school hours and at weekends. Should you need to contact me outside of school hours please do not hesitate to do so.

At this time I would like to remind parents to ensure that all children are dressed warmly for school each day. We are all aware now that covid is an airborne diseaseso ventilation of classrooms is essential. Please be aware that classroom windows continue to be kept open at all times and windows are open wide when children are out of the classroom. Children need to wear extra layers as the weather continues to get colder.  

Thank you once again for your wonderful co-operation. It’s a difficult and anxious time but we’re doing our very best to remain upbeat&maintain a positive and happy environment for the children. We aim to keep things as normal as possible in the classrooms over the next few weeks and we have plans for some exciting activities in the run up to the holidays which can be enjoyed safely.

FURTHER DETAIL ON THE PROGRAMME FROM THE DEPARTMENT

• Antigen tests are potentially an extra measure to help protect against transmission of  COVID-19 (coronavirus). You do the tests yourself at home. The test sample does not have  to go to a lab. You usually get your results in 15 minutes.  
• If just one pod is involved, only the children in this pod will be offered antigen tests. If there  are two pods with separate confirmed cases of COVID-19, then parents or guardians of  children in the whole class will be contacted and provided with the information on how they  can request antigen tests.
• You will need to provide your child’s name and home address together with the school’s roll  number which will be provided by the school when contacting the Freephone number to  order the test.
• These tests will be delivered free of charge directly to the parent or guardian at their home  address and the child’s parent can decide if they want to do the tests. The HSE has  prepared instructions and a video for parents. Full details will be in the antigen test pack.  
• The HSE advises that parents/guardians should carry out the first antigen test for their child  on the day that they receive the test kit, they should do a second test 2 days later, and a  third test 2 days after that.  
• The children in the pod of the confirmed COVID-19 case can continue to attend school as long as they have no symptoms and they do not have a positive COVID-19 test  result (antigen or PCR). If at any time, your child develops symptoms they should  isolate at home and you should book a COVID-19 PCR test for them. Do this even if  the antigen test has a negative (not detected) result. 
• If an antigen test is positive, it is important that your child isolates at home and that you  book a COVID-19 PCR test online at the HSE test portal. 
• A QR code will be provided to afford parents the opportunity to upload the result of a test  result to inform the HSE. This information is very important to understand the Covid-19  pandemic.  
• School principals have been requested not to share any information with parents that might  identify the positive COVID-19 case.  
• Participating in antigen testing is a voluntary programme, therefore it is not necessary for  parents to share information with the school about whether they have requested antigen tests and undertaken negative tests. 
• Children who are well should continue to come to school whether they participate in  antigen testing or not.  
• The decision to do antigen testing with your child is completely up to parents and guardians  and will have no impact on your child’s education or experience in school. 
• The voluntary programme of antigen testing is an additional measure and does not replace the very important public health measures currently in your school.  We continue to ask that you remind your children of the importance of these measures to stop spread of infection.    

Yours sincerely,

Mary Andrews