NHS Test & Trace now offer a PCR test to anyone who is identified as needing to self-isolate due to being a close contact of a person who has tested positive for Covid-19. 

It is recognised that not all school-based contacts (e.g. school bubble) will flow through the NHS Test & Trace system. Therefore, the North East Health Protection Team and the North East Directors of Public Health have agreed that it would be helpful to make the same offer of a PCR test to contacts of cases in schools. 

Please note: 

• Staff and pupils who are close contacts should be encouraged to take a PCR test during their period of self-isolation, but it is not a requirement to do so before returning to school at the end of their self-isolation period 
• If a close contact of a confirmed case takes a PCR test and the result is negative they must continue to self-isolate for the 10 full days, as they could still become infectious during this time. 
• If a close contact of a confirmed case takes a PCR test and the result is positive the period of self-isolation must restart for 10 full days and all other household members must also self-isolate for 10 full days.