Tuesday 13th October 2020
UPDATE - CONFIRMATION OF SELF-ISOLATION
Advice for Specific Students in the Year 10 bubble to self-isolate for 14 days
Dear parent or carer,
As you know from our previous messages and telephone contact with you today, we are writing to confirm that we have a second confirmed positive case of coronavirus (COVID-19) at Noadswood, and having followed the national guidance we have identified that your child has potentially been in close contact with an affected individual. In line with national guidance, and as per our previous message, they must now stay at home and self-isolate until Thursday 22nd October 2020 (14 days after contact).
If your child is well at the end of this 14 day period of self-isolation they can return to Noadswood and their usual activities. Other members of your household can continue normal activities provided your child does not develop any symptoms within the 14 day self-isolation period.
Please see the link to: Guidance for contacts of people with confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) infection who do not live with the person (click here):
What to do if your child develops symptoms of COVID 19
If your child develops symptoms of COVID-19, they 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 .
People who do not have symptoms should not request a test unless this has been specifically requested by Public Health England or the local authority.
All other household members who remain well must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days. This includes anyone in your ‘Support Bubble’.
The 14-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 14 days will greatly reduce the overall amount of infection the household could pass on to others in the community
If you are able can, 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
Please see the link to the PHE ‘Stay at Home’ Guidance, available via the gov.uk link.
The 14-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 14 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 you or your child do develop symptoms, you can seek advice from the nhs.uk website:
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/
I would like to end by reiterating my thanks to you for your forbearance over the weekend and into this week, that enabled us to work carefully through the decisions necessary. I would also like publicly to thank my Leadership Team colleagues for working alongside me throughout Saturday and Sunday, and my New Forest Headteacher colleagues for their time and sharing. We are part of a very strong and supportive community and you are a big part of that.
Should you have any further questions, do not hesitate to email us at health@noadswood.hants.sch.uk
Kathryn Marshall and the Noadswood Leadership Team