Tuesday 22^nd September 2020

RE: FOR PARENTS  OF DIRECT CLOSE CONTACTS OF A CONFIRMED CASE OF COVID 19 at OUR LADY OF LOURDES RCPS

Advice to Self-Isolate for 14 Days

Dear Parents of children in Years 3 , 5 and 6,

We have been advised by Public Health England that there has been two confirmed cases of COVID-19. One confirmed case in year 3 and one confirmed case in Year 5.

We have followed the national guidance and have identified that the children in year 3, year 5 and year 6 have been in close contact with the affected children. In line with the national guidance we recommend that your children now stay at home and self-isolate until they can return to school on Monday 5^th October 2020.

We are asking you to do this to reduce the further spread of COVID 19 to others in the community.

If your child is well at the end of the 14 days period of self-isolation, then they can return to usual activities. A negative test does not mean that your child can return to school earlier than 14 days.

Other members of your household can continue normal activities provided your child does not develop symptoms within the 14 day self-isolation period.

Please see the link to the PHE Staying at Home Guidance

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

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 symptoms appeared as advised in https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance

You should arrange for testing for your child via https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-getting-tested or 111.nhs.uk or primary care

All other household members who remain well must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days.

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.

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 to, 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 of COVID 19

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

• new continuous cough and/or
• high temperature and/or
• a loss of, or change in, 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 NHS 111 at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/check-if-you-have-coronavirus-symptoms/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:

• 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/

Will my child be expected to carry out home learning in the two week isolation period?

If your child is well, they will be expected to continue with their learning and engaging with their class teacher daily. The class teachers in Years 3, 5 and 6 will be contacting all parents today through Seesaw to set up their remote learning activities. Please contact the school office if you are unable to access Seesaw for your child.

Yours sincerely,

Mrs J.E. Davies

Executive Headteacher