Clinicians tell students not to take Covid-19 tests for cold and flu symptoms
Scotland’s senior medical officers have told students in the country to keep going to university classes if they have cold or flu-like symptoms not associated with the main symptoms of Covid-19.
In a letter to students published 10 September, National Clinical Director Jason Leitch, chief nursing officer Fiona McQueen and interim chief medical officer Gregor Smith told students that those with such symptoms “can attend university or college if fit to do so”.
The advice comes after Scotland’s first minister Nicola Sturgeon published updated guidance for universities on how to let students safely return to campuses on 1 September. Separate guidance for universities in England was published on 10 September.
In the letter, the officers wrote: “As students return to further and higher education and begin to socialise with one another, it is common for colds and similar viral infections to circulate. In many cases, students will be well enough to attend class and continue their learning with little or no interruption to their education. In other cases, you may need to take a few days off to recover.”
They also told students that they “do not need to be tested” for Covid-19 and “do not need to self-isolate” with symptoms of a cold or the flu. “We recommend testing only for those with a continuous cough, fever, or loss of or change in the sense of taste or smell,” they wrote.
However, the officers stressed that if students develop a new continuous cough, high fever or temperature, or changes to their sense of smell or taste they should “should self-isolate and book a test as soon as possible”.
“It is essential that people who have Covid-19 symptoms, or who share a household with someone who has symptoms, do not attend college or university classes, and they must self-isolate along with all members of their household,” they said.
Scotland’s further and higher education minister Richard Lochhead said students needed to be “doubly vigilant” if colds and flus “start doing the rounds” at universities.
“As college and university students return to campuses, everyone needs to stay alert to look out for Covid-19 symptoms,” he said.
Lochhead added: “This letter to everyone—which follows on from the revised guidance for colleges, universities and student accommodation providers we published last week—sets out clearly the signs of Covid-19, what to do if someone develops symptoms and when to go for a test. By following this advice, we can all keep ourselves and others safe.”