Dear Parents,

This is a letter from Public Health England. It is the result of a very detailed process over the last 24 hours. Please read the content carefully.

Advice to All Parents/Carers - Single case

Dear Parents/Carers, 

We have been advised yesterday (19.9.20) that there has been a confirmed case of COVID-19 within the Y6CR bubble.  Upon investigation and undertaking an assessment of risk with Walsall Public Health, we have been able to narrow down any prolonged close contact to six individuals.

We are continuing to monitor the situation and are working closely with Walsall Public Health. This letter is to inform you of the current situation and provide advice on how to support your child. Please be reassured that for most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.

The school remains open for all staff and students, with the exception of the six individuals who have been contacted and we are following strict hygiene measures. Providing your child remains well they can continue to attend school as normal. We will keep this under review. 

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. We encourage that symptomatic individuals get tested at the earliest opportunity.

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, requesting they 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:

• new continuous cough and/or
• high temperature
• 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 or anyone in the household 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

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/

Yours sincerely

G.Bagley

Head teacher