DESC – COVID-19 Information

Welcome to our advice and guidance regarding COVID-19.  We are working closely with a number of authorities including; KHDA, Dubai Health Authority (DHA), Dubai Municipality (DM) and Schools Health Service (SHS).  We have frequent visits to ensure that we are following the guidance and indeed are changing our protocols to ensure we are compliant with the latest advice.  This page will be updated regularly as regulations change.

    Frequently Asked Questions - September 2022

    What are the COVID-19 Symptoms?

    If you have any of the symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), have a PCR test done as soon as possible and stay at home until you get the results.  Please send a copy of the results to the College.

    POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS:

    Individuals with COVID-19 have reported a wide range of symptoms, ranging from mild to severe symptoms. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Individuals with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

    • Fever or chills
    • Cough
    • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
    • Fatigue
    • Muscle or body aches
    • Headache
    • New loss or taste or smell
    • Sore throat 
    • Congestion or runny nose
    • Nausea or vomiting
    • Diarrhea

    *Most people with COVID-19 have at least one of these symptoms.

    What do I do if my child shows symptoms?

    If your child displays any symptoms of COVID-19:

    • Students are not to be sent to school if they are unwell, even if they are sitting exams.
    • All symptomatic students need to do a PCR test.  Lateral Flow tests are not accepted in the UAE.
    • Stay at home and do not have visitors until you get your test result – only leave your home to have a test.
    • If PCR is negative, students need to stay home until they are asymptomatic for at least 24 hours.
    • If PCR is positive, students will need to complete 5 days isolation.  Day one of isolation will be the date of the test.
    • Inform the school medical team.
    Can we do a lateral flow instead of a PCR?

    No, lateral flow results are not accepted in the UAE.

    What happens if my child tests positive?

    If your child tests positive:

    • They need to isolate for 5 days starting from the test date.  Day one of isolation will be the date of the test.
    • Please inform the school medical team of the test result.
    • Your child needs to be symptom free for 24 hours before returning to school.
    • There is no need to do a PCR at the end of the isolation period.
    • Your child needs to obtain a de-isolation certificate from the DHA.  If there is a delay in getting the DHA Clearance certificate, the student can come back to school at the end of their isolation period and submit the clearance certificate when it has been received.
    I was recently around someone who was positive, but I feel fine. Should I stay at home?

    Anyone (student and staff) who is considered to be a close contact but doesn't show any Covid-19 symptoms, doesn't need to quarantine and can continue attending class and DESC.

    If a close contact develops symptoms, they will need to stay at home until symptom free and take a formal PCR test.

    If the PCR result is positive the student must isolate at home for 5 days. Household members do not need to quarantine, siblings should still attend school. 

    If the PCR test is negative the student should stay at home to rest and recover from their symptoms. Once the symptoms have resolved the student will be welcome to return to school. If the symptoms persist the PCR test should be repeated after 48 hours. 

     

    Can my child return to school if they are identified as a close contact but have had COVID-19 previously?

    If a student has had a positive PCR within the last 3 months and has been vaccinated, they do not have to quarantine if they are identified as a close contact.

    What to do if you are unsure regarding COVID-19 related matters

    If you have any questions or concerns regarding COVID-19, please contact our nurses:

    Jill Riding: [email protected]  Tel: 04 360 4866  Ext: 208

    Jackie Williams: [email protected]  Tel: 04 360 4866  Ext: 249

    Perly Pantig: [email protected]  Tel: 04 360 4866  Ext: 285

    When can a student access online learning?

    All students that are in isolation will be permitted to access online learning. 

    If a student is absent for a non-COVID-19 related sickness or reason they cannot access online learning unless the student has been given an exception through the official channels.