Agenda and minutes

Items
No. Item

1.

Question from: County Councillor Matthew Dorrance Subject: Covid 19 Testing in School

 

Question From:

County Councillor Matthew Dorrance

Subject:

Covid 19 Testing in Schools

Question To:

County Councillor Phyl Davies

Portfolio Holder for Education and Property

 

Question:

I understand that schools in Powys have been allocated a number of COVID-19 tests.

 

Due to the poor management of the UK Government testing scheme, many people with symptoms are having difficulty accessing tests through the central, self-referral route.

 

Can you please advise, as a matter of urgency, how the tests which have been allocated to schools can be accessed by learners who are displaying COVID-19 symptoms?

 

 

Minutes:

Response by the Portfolio Holder:

 

This is the most recent guidance that has been issued to all schools which answers your queries:

 

Guidance for schools and FE institutions on ordering additional coronavirus test kits

 

All schools and FE institutions have been provided with a small number of coronavirus test kits for use in line with guidance published by the Welsh Government https://gov.wales/guidance-schools-and-fe-providers-using-home-test-kits-html

 

The fastest way to get a test result is to go to a testing site. Individuals will need a pre-booked appointment or they will not be given a test. People can also order home test kits to be sent directly to them. To book an appointment or order a home kit, please visit https://gov.wales/apply-coronavirus-covid-19-test

 

These routes remain the primary channels for any individuals displaying coronavirus symptoms to get a test.

 

Making an order for additional coronavirus tests

 

Schools and FE institutions should order additional test kits if they have run out or are running out of test kits.

 

The portal will open for you to apply for more test kits via this link - https://request-testing.test-for-coronavirus.service.gov.uk

 

Kits will be supplied in boxes of 10. The number of boxes available to each school or FE institution will be proportionate to your size.

 

You will be able to make a new order for coronavirus test kits 21 days after you receive a delivery confirmation email from the Department of Health and Social Care telling you that your kits have been sent.

 

Schools and FE institutions will need a Unique Organisation Number (UON) to place orders for test kits. You will receive your UON by email to this email address on or before 25 September. After this date, please call the Test, Trace, Protect helpdesk on 119 if you have not received your UON.

 

Join our webinar for schools and FE institutions

 

A series of webinars are being hosted to support you in understanding how to use the test kits that are being sent to education settings.

 

These webinars will cover guidance on who should receive these kits, what they will look like and how they should be used. There will be an opportunity to ask any questions you may have.

 

We strongly encourage each school to sign up to one of the webinars.

 

The dates of these webinars are being confirmed and will be circulated as soon as possible.

 

Who to contact in an emergency

 

If at any stage someone at your institution cannot cope with the symptoms or their condition significantly worsens, use the https://111.nhs.uk COVID-19 service. If you do not have internet access, dial NHS 111. In a medical emergency, dial 999.