Information close contact secondary school

Information letter to accompany the LCI COVID-19 guidelines | Version of 14 April 2021 (for version management see Overview of information letters) 

• Child care: cat 2 close contact | cat 3 other contact | not in the same group
• Primary school: cat 2 close contact | cat 3 other contact | not in the same class
• Secondary school: cat 2 close contact | cat 3 other contact | not in the same class

Information for a pupil (and their parents/carers) who had close contact with someone who tested positive (secondary school)

Dear pupil and parent/carer,

You had close contact with someone at school who has COVID-19 (a coronavirus infection). That is why you are receiving this letter. Note: this is important information.

What this means for you:

The most important thing is that you are in quarantine as of now. This means that you stay home and do not receive any visitors. Also, you will not be going to school. This is necessary to prevent the coronavirus from spreading.

You will stay home for 10 days, counting from your last contact with the person who has COVID-19. After that, you can go outside again and return to school. Visitors will also be allowed again after that.

This letter contains guidelines for your household routine. These will help you maintain quarantine. There is a short video on the RIVM website explaining how to go into quarantine.

Testing before day 5:

You may also get tested immediately, for example if you are concerned.
Caution: If you test negative for COVID-19 before day 5, then you must still remain in home quarantine. You could still become ill. If you test negative for COVID-19 on or after day 5, then you may go outside again. You can make appointments for both tests at once via: 0800-2035.

Do you have symptoms?

Get tested immediately if you develop any of the symptoms below. Get tested even if a previous COVID-19 test was negative:

• cold symptoms: nasal cold, runny nose, sneezing, sore throat
• coughing
• sudden loss of smell and taste
• shortness of breath/difficulty breathing
• elevated temperature or fever. If you think your child has a fever, take the child’s temperature (rectally or using an ear thermometer). A temperature of 38.0°C or higher is considered a fever.

You can make an appointment for a free COVID-19 test by calling the national test line: 0800-1202.
In addition to cold symptoms, do you also have a fever and/or shortness of breath? Then all household members must stay home.

Rules during quarantine

Because you had contact with a person who tested positive for COVID-19, you have to be more careful about a number of things. These rules apply until 10 days after your last physical contact with the person who tested positive, or shorter as described above. If you do not develop any symptoms within 10 days after your last contact with the person who tested positive, then the general recommendations for COVID-19 apply.

Staying home

• During the quarantine period, you must stay home. You may not attend school or participate in group activities, such as sports. You may spend time in the garden or on the balcony.
• If you do not have a fever and/or shortness of breath, your parents/carers and other household members do not need to stay home.
• You must not have any contact with people outside the household. Try to stay 1.5 metres apart from other household members.
• Do not have people over to visit you.

Hygiene

• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water. You must always wash hands:
  • after coughing and sneezing;
  • after using the toilet;
  • before preparing or eating food.
• Use a paper tissue to cover your mouth when you cough, or cough into the bend of your elbow.
• Use a tissue only once, throw the tissue away after use, and then wash your hands. 

Extra information for your parents/carers

We understand that the situation may raise many concerns and questions. Do you have questions about COVID-19 or the coronavirus at your child’s school? Or do you have concerns about your child’s symptoms? Then call the Municipal Public Health Service (GGD).

Is your child seriously ill and in need of medical assistance? Call your GP before taking your child to that location. Tell them that your child has been in close proximity to someone with COVID-19.

You can find more information about children and COVID-19 at RIVM.nl.