Parents have been issued with new advice on whether their children should go to school if they develop Covid-19 symptoms.
The guidance, updated last week when England dropped its free coronavirus tests, advises parents that their children can still go to school if they have mild coronavirus symptoms, like a runny nose, sore throat or cough, unless they develop a high temperature or do not feel well enough to come in.
Children should stay at home if they test positive for coronavirus, or their symptoms include a high temperature or do not feel well enough due to their symptoms. Children who test positive for Covid-19 should stay home for three days from the date of their test.
Read more: The NHS list of 12 Covid-19 symptoms
The new guidance is available on the NHS website. Schools are also contacting parents to let them know.
In a letter to parents and carers of pupils, Whitley Bay High School headteacher Steve Wilson wrote: "Students with mild symptoms (e.g a runny nose) who are otherwise well are now advised to attend their education setting.
"Students who are unwell and have a high temperature should stay at home and avoid contact with other people. They can return to school when they no longer have a high temperature, and they are well enough to attend.
"Any student with a positive Covid-19 test result should try and stay at home and where possible, avoid contact with other people for three days after the day they took their test. They can return to school after three days if they feel well and do not have a high temperature."
The NHS says: "Children and young people tend to be infectious to others for less time than adults. If they’re well and do not have a temperature after 3 days, there’s a much lower risk that they’ll pass on Covid-19 to others."
What is a high temperature?
The NHS says a high temperature is 38C or above. Sometimes, that is known as a fever. You can use a digital thermometer to check a child's temperature, the NHS advises.
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