Important PHA information

Very important information - COVID-19 GUIDELINES

Dear parent,

As you are aware the PHA has taken over contract tracing in schools. Schools have been informed that they do not give advice on whether or not pupils isolate or test etc. However, there are some instances where parents should be cautious and act swiftly themselves if a member of the household has tested positive. Pupils who are unwell should not attend school.

Below is some information regarding the PHA contact tracing.

Public Health Authority

If you are a parent getting in touch about Covid-19, please note that responsibility has now passed to the Public Health Authority (PHA). Queries about testing and contact tracing should now be directed to them (02890418056).

The PHA has stated that "Where a case of confirmed COVID-19 (Coronavirus) has been reported in a person with links to a school setting, all close contacts of the case who need to take specific actions with regard to testing and self-isolation will be identified, contacted and advised by the Public Health Agency (PHA) Contact Tracing Service". Please note, however, that the PHA Contact Tracing Service will only conduct a 'targeted' contact tracing service, meaning that a significant majority of students/parents will not be contacted, even if the child is in the same classroom, playground, transport or other school setting as the identified positive case.

The information from the PHA on how contact tracing will work is found here: https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/covid-19-coronavirus/information-schools-colleges-universities-and-parents/contact-tracing-schools.

Contact tracing in schools | HSC Public Health Agency

Since schools returned for the new academic year large numbers of COVID-19 cases have been reported to schools, with very large numbers of children being identified as close contacts. This has caused disruption in schools, many children missing school and pressure on school leaders.  www.publichealth.hscni.net