COVID-19

Updated 20 April 2022

The Government's ongoing response is now based around living with COVID-19; protecting those most vulnerable; and maintaining resilience.

In order to reduce disease transmission, the following apply:

  • Children or young people with a positive COVID-19 test result should stay at home for 3 days after the day they took their test

  • Staff who have a positive COVID-19 test result should stay at home for 5 days after the day they took the test.

  • Children and young people with mild symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat, or slight cough, who are otherwise well, can continue to attend their education setting.

  • Children and young people who are unwell and have a high temperature should stay at home and avoid contact with other people, where they can. They can go back to school, college or childcare, and resume normal activities when they no longer have a high temperature and they are well enough to attend.


Important

Help from NHS 111:

Get help from NHS 111 if you're worried about your child or not sure what to do.

Children and babies will still get illnesses that can make them very unwell quickly. It's important to get medical help if you need it.

Urgent advice:

Call 111 or your GP surgery if your child:

  • is under 3 months old and has a temperature of 38C or higher, or you think they have a fever

  • is 3 to 6 months old and has a temperature of 39C or higher, or you think they have a fever

  • has other signs of illness, such as a rash, as well as a high temperature (fever)

  • has a high temperature that's lasted for 5 days or more

  • does not want to eat, or is not their usual self and you're worried

  • has a high temperature that does not come down with paracetamol

  • is dehydrated – for example, nappies are not very wet, sunken eyes, and no tears when they're crying

Immediate action required:

Call 999 if your child:

  • has a stiff neck

  • has a rash that does not fade when you press a glass against it (use the "glass test" from Meningitis Now)

  • is bothered by light

  • has a seizure or fit for the first time (they cannot stop shaking)

  • has unusually cold hands and feet

  • has pale, blotchy, blue or grey skin

  • has a weak, high-pitched cry that's not like their usual cry

  • is drowsy and hard to wake

  • is extremely agitated (does not stop crying) or is confused

  • finds it hard to breathe and sucks their stomach in under their ribs

  • has a soft spot on their head that curves outwards

  • is not responding like they usually do, or not interested in feeding or usual activities