18th March 2020
Dear Parents and Carers,
CORONAVIRUS UPDATE
Over the last two days, we have been asked many questions about when to keep children off school and what to do in certain scenarios. We keep coming back to the most recent advice. The latest guidance can be found on the NHS and government websites. I hope that the following helps you become more aware of the latest guidelines with regard to what to do if someone develops symptoms of coronavirus.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are a new, continuous cough (this means you have started coughing repeatedly) OR a high temperature (you feel hot to touch on your chest or back and at 37.8 degrees or above). For most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild infection.
What to do if someone develops symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19)
If your child becomes unwell with a new, continuous cough or a high temperature they should be kept at home and follow the staying at home guidance on the NHS website. If they need clinical advice you should go online to NHS 111 (or call 111 if you don’t have internet access). In an emergency, call 999 if they are seriously ill or injured or their life is at risk. Do not visit the GP, pharmacy, urgent care centre or a hospital.
You will need to inform the school of their absence and state that your child is self-isolating.
As per the government guidelines, as you live with others, if you or one of them have symptoms of coronavirus, then all household members must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days. The 14 day period starts from the day when the first person becomes ill.
For anyone in the household who starts displaying symptoms, they need to stay at home for 7 days from when the symptoms appeared, regardless of what day they are on in the original 14 day isolation period.
For further information please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance and please refer to the ‘ending self-isolation and household isolation’ section.
As and when staff self-isolate due to vulnerabilities, or self-isolation within their family (following government guidelines), we will let individual classes know. Rest assured, we currently have no suspected or confirmed cases amongst staff.
I hope that this letter adds support and guidance for you when trying to decide whether to self-isolate your family. Genuinely, take care of you and yours!
Yours sincerely,
Mrs Bates
Head Teacher