Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 February 2022
669. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health the reason that children under four years of age that are consistently testing negative for Covid-19 on and antigen test three days in a row and are asymptomatic for a further 48 hours are not permitted to finish restricting their movements as is the case with children over four years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4423/22]
View answerThe Deputy may wish to note that as part of the HSE's public health guidance, antigen testing for children under the age of 4 has not been recommended.
Any child experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 should isolate from other people (stay at home) and seek a test according to the guidance available on the HSE website which depends on the age and individual circumstances of the child. If the child gets a negative PCR result, they can stop isolating 48 hours after they have no symptoms. If the child gets a positive result, they should continue to self-isolate until both of these apply:
- they have not had a high temperature (38 degrees Celsius or over) or other symptoms for 48 hours AND
- it has been 7 days since they first developed symptoms
In cases where a child is a close contact of a person who tested positive for COVID-19, the guidance applicable, including any requirements in relation to testing, will depend on the age and individual circumstances of the child. In the case of a child aged three and under who is a close contact and who does not have symptoms, they do not need to be tested but they should restrict movements for seven days.
Comprehensive guidance applicable to the circumstances described in the question is available on the HSE website at www2.hse.ie/conditions/covid19/.
The evidence relating to the detection of COVID-19, and the actions deemed appropriate to mitigate the impact of the virus across the population, are kept under continuing review by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) and the Department of Health. The measures in place will continue to be adapted to the epidemiological profile of the disease, its impact on healthcare utilisation and outcomes, the vaccination status of the population and ECDC guidance.
