Worried parents told to get virus tests after kids sent home with the ‘sniffles’

Concerned mums and dads have been requesting tests for their children after pupils went back to schools resulting in a sharp spike in demand.

There are numerous reports of tests being requested after a child is seen with a runny nose or other cold-like symptoms.

Stephen Mckenna’s young son couldn’t go to school because he had a ‘minor cough’ but this meant his older brother also had to go home.

The pair lost four days of school due to waiting for a test and results.

Another parent commented: “This could happen every week the closer we get to winter. One of us has a cough and we’re all off for up to two weeks.”

One parent said they think the council should be informing parents of potential cases.

The concerned father said: “I personally think the council and the government should be making every parent aware of any possible cases.

“Kids within the school may have other health issues which forced them or even their parents to isolate.

“Myself, personally I don’t want my kids at school when I can’t trust them to make the right choices for my kids health and wellbeing.”

Ayrshire MSP Brian Whittle said he was contacted by a parent whose child was sent home school with a blocked nose, streaming eyes and a chesty cough, ‘in other words, sounds very much like a cold’.

He said: “The school were fine, but when parents found out that that child had been sent home, there was pressure put on that constituent to have that child tested for COVID, the inference being that if that child came back to school they wouldn’t allow their children back into school without a test."

Mr Whittle said the parent arranged a test for the child worried about how she would be treated when she went back to school.

He said if the same happens across winter when ‘half the children in a school end up with the sniffles’ then the testing process will be ‘overwhelmed’.

Education authorities will not allow any child into school if they display symptoms on arrival. If the pupil displays symptoms during the day, they will be isolated in a room until their parent comes to collect them. They will then be advised to go and get a test.

NHS Ayrshire and Arran told parents not to bring their child to the emergency department with mild symptoms if all they need is a test warning that this could ‘potentially put others at risk of infection’ and delay them getting a test.

Unless you have symptoms, the only other reason you need to get a test, said NHS Ayrshire and Arran’s Public Health Director, is if you have been ‘explicitly’ asked by Public Health as part of the management of a virus outbreak.

Lynne McNiven said: “We know that testing is vital in helping us to prevent a rise in COVID-19 cases. However, there are clear processes in place, and we are reminding members of the public how those processes works.

“Only people who are symptomatic need a test, unless you are explicitly asked to get a test by public health as part of the management of an outbreak.”

The symptoms of COVID-19 are the onset of a new persistent cough, shortness of breath, a temperature/fever or a loss of taste or smell.

Problems with the UK Government’s COVID test booking site saw locals in Ayrshire being directed to as far away as Belfast for the nearest available slot.

NHS Ayrshire and Arran reminded the public that while family members need to self-isolate if someone in their household develops symptoms, they do not need to be tested unless they themselves go on to develop symptoms. In addition, if you have been advised to self-isolate, you must do this even if you have been tested.

Ms McNiven said: “If you are contacted by our Test and Protect contact tracing team to tell you that you are a close contact of somebody with COVID-19, you do not need a test, but you must isolate for 14 days.

“It is important to note that if you have been in close contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case then you will still need to self-isolate for 14 days, regardless of the result of any test.

“If you do develop COVID-19 symptoms and are ill or worried about your health, call NHS 24 on 111 for medical help. Only call NHS 24 if you need medical advice to deal with your illness.

“Thank you for your continued support and patience. We all need to work together as we enter this next phase in the fight against the virus.”

There continue to be positive cases of the virus across Ayrshire.

Dr Crawford McGuffie, Medical Director, said: "A number of positive COVID-19 cases have been identified across Ayrshire. However, to respect and maintain patient confidentiality it is not possible to release any further information at this time.

"We would like to remind people of the symptoms of coronavirus: new cough; high temperature; and / or loss of taste and smell. Anyone who develops any of these symptoms should book a test and self-isolate immediately."

NHS Ayrshire and Arran has worked with Ayrshire's three local authorities to create a plan for tackling community outbreaks.

Dr McGuffie said: "Trends in positive cases of COVID-19 in the health board area are under constant review, with the Scottish Government aware of any issues that arise, be they local clusters or outbreaks; indicating suspected more widespread community transmission.

"The Scottish Government leads on any decision to impose local restrictions and these are tailored to the specific circumstances in that geographical location, should they be required."