Rapid Covid tests to be offered to older secondary aged pupils in Wales
The Welsh Government is extending the offer of regular, twice weekly, Lateral Flow Tests (LFTs) at home to all those pupils of upper secondary age. This will start with offering tests to years 11 to 13 and all FE college learners and learners on work-based Apprenticeship and Traineeship programmes.
The Welsh Government says that while this group is significantly less likely to become unwell from COVID-19, symptomatic prevalence data suggests that this age group are more likely to test positive than younger teenagers and there is evidence to suggest that older secondary aged pupils may transmit the virus to the same level as adults.
The plan is to make these tests available to all those who are eligible in line with the next phase of return to face-to-face learning, which if infection rates allow will be from 15 March onwards.
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