Get NHS advice about COVID-19, including symptoms, testing, vaccination and staying at home

Coronavirus (COVID-19) - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

What parents and carers need to know about early years providers, schools and colleges during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak -

Link to latest Government guidance

Coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms in children

Children and young people aged 18 and under can get coronavirus (COVID-19), but it's usually a mild illness and most get better in a few days.

Symptoms of COVID-19 can include:

• a high temperature or shivering (chills) – a high temperature means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
• a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours
• a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
• shortness of breath
• feeling tired or exhausted
• an aching body
• a headache
• a sore throat
• a blocked or runny nose
• loss of appetite
• diarrhoea
• feeling sick or being sick
   

The symptoms are very similar to symptoms of other illnesses, such as colds and flu.

What to do if your child has symptoms.

Your child should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if they have symptoms of COVID-19 and they either:

• have a high temperature
• do not feel well enough to go to school, college or childcare, or do their normal activities

They can go back to school, college or childcare when they feel better or do not have a high temperature.

If your child has mild symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat or mild cough, and they feel well enough, they can go to school, college or childcare.

Encourage your child to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when they cough or sneeze, and to wash their hands after using or throwing away tissues.

Most children who are unwell will recover in a few days with rest and plenty of fluids.

There is guidance for people with COVID-19 symptoms and other respiratory infections on GOV.UK.
 

Further advice: 

• for children aged 12 and over who are at highest risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19 and are eligible for COVID-19 treatments
• about how to look after yourself at home if you have COVID-19 or symptoms of COVID-19

Coronavirus: what you need to know

The government is closely monitoring the spread of Coronavirus and we would like to reassure you that we regularly receive advice from the Department for Education and are following the guidance from them, the Local Authority and Public Health England.

You can help to slow the spread of Coronavirus

Make sure you and your children follow these general principles to prevent spreading any respiratory virus:

• Wash your hands often – with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or an alcohol-based sanitiser if soap and water aren’t available.
• Please click here to access NHS video showing the most effective way of washing your hands
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• If you feel unwell, stay at home and don’t attend work or school.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a disposable tissue, then throw the tissue in a bin.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces in the home.
• If you’re worried about your symptoms, please call NHS 111 – don’t go directly to your GP or other healthcare environment.

Please ensure your contact information is up to date so we can ensure you have the latest information.