Dear Parent and Carers,

Coronavirus - 17 March Update

As you may have seen or read, yesterday afternoon the Government and Public Health England changed their advice on Self-Isolation.

Their most up-to-date advice is that anyone who has a persistent cough, a fever, or has difficulty in breathing, should stay away from school and self-isolate for 14 days.

As well as a change to the number of days you should self-isolate, the official government medical advice is that EVERYONE who lives in that household should also self-isolate.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-homeguidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronaviruscovid-19-infection

In further advice to school’s that was not highlighted on the news last night, we have been told that if any child starts to show the symptoms of the virus, we should call you so that you can come to school and collect them.

You, your child and all the people in your household would then be expected to seek medical advice with the possibility of self-isolating for 14 days from the day your child is sent home.

As you know, the situation is changing on a daily basis and this advice may well change in the coming days and we will try to keep you as up-to-date as possible with what is happening in school.

This advice was correct as of 9am on Tuesday 17th March but may well change during the day or in the coming days.

Please follow our standard Absence and Safeguarding procedures and contact school EVERY DAY to keep us updated on your situation. Thank you for your understanding and co-operation.

Please contact us if you have any questions or queries.

Yours sincerely

Miss S L Millard

Headteacher

Information:                 Read more advice about staying at home on GOV.UK.

Source:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-advice/

 Stay at home advice -  Coronavirus (COVID-19)

How long to stay at home if you have symptoms ?

• Anyone with symptoms should stay at home for at least 7 days.
• If you live with other people, they should stay at home for at least 14 days, to avoid spreading the infection outside the home.
• After 14 days, anyone you live with who does not have symptoms can return to their normal routine.
• But, if anyone in your home gets symptoms, they should stay at home for 7 days from the day their symptoms start. Even if it means they're at home for longer than 14 days.
• Information:
• If you live with someone who is 70 or over, has a long-term condition, is pregnant or has a weakened immune system, try to find somewhere else for them to stay for 14 days.
• If you have to stay at home together, try to keep away from each other as much as possible.

If you still have symptoms after 7 days

• After 7 days, if you no longer have a high temperature you can return to your normal routine.
• If you still have a high temperature, stay at home until your temperature returns to normal.
• If you still have a cough after 7 days, but your temperature is normal, you do not need to continue staying at home. A cough can last for several weeks after the infection has gone.

Urgent advice: Use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service if:

• you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home
• your condition gets worse
• your symptoms do not get better after 7 days

Use the 111 coronavirus service   -    Only call 111 if you cannot get help online.

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Tips for staying at home   It's important to stay at home to stop coronavirus spreading 

Do:       

• try to keep at least 2 metres (3 steps) from other people in your home, particularly people over 70, or those with long-term health conditions
• ask friends, family and delivery services to deliver things like food shopping and medicines but leave them outside
• sleep alone, if possible
• regularly wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds
• drink plenty of water and take everyday painkillers, such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, to help with your symptoms

Don’t:       

• do not have visitors (ask people to leave deliveries outside)
• do not leave your home, for example to go for a walk, to school or to public places