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No one in Northern Ireland is expected to travel to Scotland or England for a COVID-19 test. These slots were offered by the DHSC online booking system because it has sometimes not recognised local requirements.

We have been advising the DHSC on this and sought assurances from them that the problem is being addressed.

However we also need the public’s help to keep tests available for those who need them. Testing is an essential part of the fight against COVID-19, and we want people to use the testing support that is available, but to do so appropriately.

We also know some people had an experience with the booking system recently that meant they were offered tests at locations that didn’t have testing sites. These were generally for locations that previously had a mobile testing unit available. This was because the DHSC portal for booking tests did not immediately update with the new locations. On these occasions we have worked with our DHSC colleagues to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.

We continue to work with the DHSC to help ensure changes are made to the booking portal in a more timely manner to reflect the actual location of testing units, and have sought reassurances around this moving forward.

Tests can be booked at www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test, where you complete the online form, and you’ll be offered a test at your nearest fixed or mobile testing unit. If you have questions about a test you’ve booked or are having trouble booking a test, you can call 119.

If you are unable to book a slot, please check back occasionally to the booking portal and if the sites are fully booked you will need to book for the following day.

The booking portal directs you to the closest place by your postcode. If you see this is not where you wish to travel to please return to the booking website at a later time and select a test site of your choice.

Six mobile testing units operate across Northern Ireland. Mobile testing units are short-term testing sites that are mobilised in response to need and/ or to provide additional testing capacity locally. They work in close collaboration with the four fixed sites located in Belfast, Enniskillen, Derry/ Londonderry and Craigavon. When a mobile testing unit is fully booked, members of the public are directed to another mobile testing unit or fixed site for their test. This helps ensure efficient use is made of our COVID-19 testing resources in Northern Ireland.

The issues faced by some people this week have undoubtedly been very frustrating for those affected, but we would urge anyone who needs a test to log on to the testing portal and rebook one if they have not yet done so.

We would also remind all members of the public who have symptoms that they should continue to self-isolate until they have received their test results, as should members of their household, and they should follow the appropriate public health advice relating to their test result.

Information on the live location of mobile testing units is available on the PHA website at www.pha.site/cvtesting

As schools have returned, we have seen increased complexity in many cases which have required contact tracing, and understandably schools want to do the right thing by pupils, staff and the wider community.

As part of the ongoing development of new services to support the Test, Trace and Protect programme, we have now established a new, dedicated phone line to assist schools when there has been a positive test for coronavirus in an educational setting. This phone line is available seven days a week, and can be accessed by principals.

The phone line is operated by specialist public health staff who will support schools through the risk assessment process and provide guidance on next steps when a case of COVID-19 is confirmed in the school.

It is important to note that this is not a general helpline and should not be used as the first port of call for general advice by schools where there has been no confirmed case in an educational setting – schools should continue to follow the ‘New School Day’ guidance available on the Department of Education website, which can be found here.

The Education Authority has provided guidance for schools with cases of COVID-19 – this can be found here.

Provided the child does not have symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 – new continuous cough, high temperature or loss of smell/taste or have not been identified as a close contact – they can attend school.

A child has a head cold and mum or dad told the school that they would keep the child off until they were feeling better. The principal told the parent that the child wouldn’t be allowed back until they are tested and provided evidence of a negative test – is that necessary? 
Provided the child does not have symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 – new continuous cough, high temperature or loss of smell/taste – and they feel well enough, they can attend school. Testing is not recommended unless a person has symptoms of COVID-19.

A school is notified by a parent that a pupil has tested positive – what happens to the rest of the class?
The PHA will work with the school to undertake a risk assessment to identify the children considered to be close contacts. These children, or if aged under 16 years the parents or guardians of the child, will be contacted by the contact tracing team and advised to self-isolate, irrespective of whether they have a negative COVID-19 test. Provided the child and everyone else in their household has no COVID-19 symptoms, the remainder of the household can carry on with their normal activities.

If a person is contacted by the contact tracers and told to self-isolate for 14 days – should they get tested?
If you are contacted by the contact tracing team and advised to self-isolate for 14 days you should do so. Currently testing is not recommended unless you develop symptoms of COVID-19 – a negative result would not affect the need to remain in self-isolation.

The Department of Education leaflet on information for parents and carers on keeping schools safe and helping to stop the spread, can be found here. 

For further information on symptoms and how to get tested see: www.publichealth.hscni.net

Through the update we hope to increase awareness and knowledge of the work of the PHA and share news of our programmes and activities. Subscribers will receive a monthly update, and occasionally we also send special issues for major announcements.

The aim of the PHA Update is to help maintain a source of regular communication with our stakeholders on key areas of work, with particular focus at present on COVID-19.