Coronavirus – Preventative Guidance From Public Health England
3rd Mar 2020.
Dear Parent/Carer,
I am sure you are aware of the outbreak of novel coronavirus and the subsequent confirmed cases in the UK. At One in A Million Free School we take the health and safety of our pupils and staff very seriously, so we’re sharing guidance from Public Health England on steps you should be taking.
There is currently no cause for concern at the school, but we’ll keep you informed about any developments and ensure we’re keeping the school clean to prevent the spread of any virus.
Prevent the spread of infection
Make sure you and your children follow these general principles to prevent spreading any respiratory virus:
- Wash your hands often – with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or an alcohol based sanitizer if soap and water aren’t available
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- If you feel unwell, stay at home and don’t attend work or school
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in a bin
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces in the home
- If you’re worried about your symptoms, please call NHS 111 – don’t go directly to your GP or other healthcare environment
If you or your children have returned from a category 1 country or area in past 14 days
This includes:
- Wuhan city and Hubei province, China
- Iran*
- Daegu or Cheongdo, South Korea*
- >Any Italian town under containment measures (see https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/868839/Map_showing_specified_areas_of_Italy_250220.pdf for details.
*Only if you’ve returned on or after 19 February 2020
Contact NHS 111 for advice, and:
- Self-isolate for 14 days after leaving the country or area (see: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-self-isolationfor-patients-undergoing-testing/advice-sheet-home-isolation for details.
- If you become unwell, call NHS 111 immediately for an assessment (or 999 if you require emergency medical attention) – see below for the symptoms to look out for
If you or your children have returned from a category 2 country or area in last 14 days
This includes:
- Cambodia
- China (other than Wuhan city or Hubei province)
- Hong Kong
> Italy: north* (see:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment
_data/file/868839/Map_showing_specified_areas_of_Italy_250220.pdf
- Japan
- Laos
- Macau
- Malaysia
- Myanmar
- Singapore
- South Korea (other than Daegu or Cheongdo)
- Taiwan
- Thailand
- Vietnam
- *Only if you’ve returned on or after 19 February 2020
If you or your children are well:
- You don’t need to avoid contact with other people
- Your other family members don’t need to take any precautions or make any changes to their own activities
If you become unwell (see below for a list of symptoms):
- Stay indoors and avoid contact with other people as you would with other flu viruses (see: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-selfisolation-
for-patients-undergoing-testing/advice-sheet-home-isolation
Call NHS 111 immediately for an assessment (or 999 if you require emergency medical attention).
Symptoms to look out for:-
If you’ve returned from any of the category 1 or 2 areas or countries, look out for the
following symptoms:
- Cough
- Difficulty in breathing
- Fever (a temperature of 38 degrees C or higher)
According to other official guidance, while you wait for further advice:
- Avoid contact with others
- Stay at home – don’t go to work or school
- Don’t travel while sick
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when
- coughing or sneezing, throwing tissues in the bin
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (or an alcohol based sanitizer if soap and water aren’t available)
If you or your child have any further concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to contact school on 01274 723439.
Yours faithfully
Mr Stuart Rees, Principal