The small number of students, who have been in close contact with the individual who tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19), have just received a letter informing them that their child must stay at home for 10 days until 23.59 on Saturday 19 December.

xxxxx (your childs name will have been added here)  has NOT been identified as being in close contact with the student. Therefore Karen should return to school tomorrow (Tuesday 15 December) and continue to attend, as normal, until the end of term.

What to do if your child develops symptoms of COVID 19

If your child develops symptoms of COVID-19, they must not come to school and should remain at home for at least 10 days from the date when their symptoms appeared. Anyone with symptoms will be eligible for testing and this can be arranged via https://www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test or by calling 119. 

All other household members who remain well, must stay at home and not leave the house for 10 days. This includes anyone in your ‘Support Bubble’.

Further information is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection

The 10-day period starts from the day when the first person in the house became ill.

Household members should not go to work, school or public areas and exercise should be taken within the home.

If you require help with buying groceries, other shopping or picking up medication, or walking a dog, you should ask friends or family. Alternatively, you can order your shopping online and medication by phone or online.

Household members staying at home for 10 days will greatly reduce the overall amount of infection the household could pass on to others in the community

If you are able, move any vulnerable individuals (such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions) out of your home, to stay with friends or family for the duration of the home isolation period.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of:

•        a new continuous cough
•        a high temperature
•        a loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)

For most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.

If your child does develop symptoms, you can seek advice from the nhs.uk website at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/check-if-you-have-coronavirus-symptoms/. If you are concerned about your child’s symptoms, or they are worsening you can seek advice from NHS 111 at https://111.nhs.uk/ or by phoning 111.

How to stop COVID-19 spreading

There are things you can do to help reduce the risk of you and anyone you live with getting ill with COVID-19

Do

•        wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
•        use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
•        wash your hands as soon as you get home
•        cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
•        put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards

Further Information

Further information is available at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

Thank you for your patience with this issue.  I hope you will understand the necessity for us to take today to work with PHE/DfE and ensure that it is safe for your child to return to school.

Yours sincerely

Pan Panayiotou

Headteacher