CORONAVIRUS testing in Scotland could soon be expanded to the under-fives, with ministers currently reviewing the policy not to test toddlers.
Currently, Scotland is the only part of the UK where younger kids can’t be tested.
That means if a tot shows a symptom of having Covid – a high temperature, a new, continuous cough or a loss or change to sense of smell or taste – then the whole household needs to self-isolate.
But that could be about to change, with ministers saying that the easing of restrictions around childcare means all options should be considered.
A Scottish Government spokesperson told The National: “A review of the current policy has been undertaken in light of the easing of restrictions around early learning and childcare and we are considering the available options.”
Miles Briggs, the Scottish Tory shadow health secretary said testing children could help key-worker parents: “We know that while children generally do not appear to suffer from them symptoms of this virus, children can be asymptomatic carriers.
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“Therefore, in order to protect others it would seem sensible to be able to test children under five for this virus.
“A voluntary test could help key-worker parents and those with vulnerable family members to manage their own risks more effectively.”
Testing was extended to children under five in England and Wales at the end of May. Recent studies suggest children seem to be spared from the worst of coronavirus.
An article published last month in the Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, suggests well under 1% of children who develop Covid-19 go on to die from it and the vast majority will not need intensive care.
The new study looked at data from almost 600 paediatric Covid-19 patients, aged between three and 18 from 21 different European countries.
More than half of the children were admitted to a hospital, but only 8% required intensive care – around 0.69%. died.
Researchers say the actual rate is probably much lower as many children have such mild cases they never need to go to hospital.
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