A copy of this letter can be found on the CV19 Test in Self Isolation page under the CV19 heading.

Dr Richard Harling
Director of Health & Care
Staffordshire County Council
No 1 Staffordshire Place
Stafford
ST16 2LP
Direct Dial: 01785 278700

Postal Address:
Staffordshire Place 2, Tipping Street, Stafford, ST16 2DH

Date: 26 March 2021

Dear parent/guardian,

As we reach the end of the Spring Term, I wanted to thank you for everything you are doing to
keep our schools safe and open, including getting yourself, your household and your child (if
they are 11 and over) tested regularly.

Now that testing has become a part of everyday life, we are really seeing how it can identify
cases and minimise disruption in school. We want to encourage all parents to continue testing
their household and any children aged 11+ twice a week.

Getting a lateral flow test (with a result within 30 mins) is easier than ever:

 You can now book a test at a Community Testing Centre, and then collect up to two
packs of seven tests for use at home. Tests can also be collected at national testing
sites in the county.
 If you child is in secondary school, they will be given tests for themselves by their school.
 Full details of all the options and how to book can be found at
www.staffordshire.gov.uk/coronavirus

Please record your results on the government website, and ensure you link your result to your
school when doing this.

Lateral flow tests are for testing people who aren’t showing any symptoms of Covid-19.

If your child is displaying one of the three classic symptoms or the wider precautionary
symptoms of Covid-19, they will need to isolate and get a PCR test at one of the government
testing sites. Please don’t use your lateral flow test on someone with symptoms, as this could
produce an inaccurate result.

Any child testing positive with a home lateral flow test will need to go for a PCR test to confirm
their result. If your child has had a positive lateral flow test at home, please report this
immediately to your school. This will allow the school to determine quickly whether they need
to isolate classes or bubbles, and minimise the risk of any further potential spread.

We know that some of this can be confusing, so we’ve put together a handy flow chart to let
you know what tests you need, and what to do if a test is positive. It is incredibly important we
get testing right, as this will minimise any impact on children’s education, and any impact
government’s lockdown roadmap.

Parents have been fantastic so far, and I hope that you will continue to test twice a week, and
keep children learning in school.

Yours sincerely

Dr Richard Harling MBE
Director of Health & Care