Dear Parents and Carers,
We are notifying you that we have been made aware this morning of a confirmed positive home lateral flow test of which we are awaiting the PCR confirmation for Covid-19. This confirmed case affects the Year 7 bubble only and we have contacted students who meet the Public Health England (PHE) threshold criteria to self-isolate. If the PCR comes back negative as outlined below, we will inform all students that the self-isolation is no longer required:
We know that you may find this concerning but we are continuing to monitor the situation and are taking further action in line with Department for Education and Public Health England latest advice for schools in managing a positive COVID-19 case. Our actions include undertaking further deep cleaning of any risk areas today, this is in addition to the rigorous daily cleaning programme we already have in place which routinely exceeds the government requirement for schools during the pandemic. Please understand that due to data protection laws we are not able to share specifics with you about who has tested positive, and this is the case regardless of whom the school community member is. We continue to be rigorous in our daily practice for managing school operation safely which is in line with the school’s risk assessments (click link) and are informing any community member if we believe they have been a close contact of the person with a positive test.
This letter is to inform you of the current situation and provide advice on how to support your child. Please could you discuss the content of this letter and reassure them that the school continues to take all steps possible required to keep them safe in school and learning. Students have been incredibly supportive and co-operative in helping us operate safely this week, particularly with the Covid Testing and face coverings.
Noadswood remains open and your child should continue to attend as normal if they remain well. Please continue to support us in keeping your child at home should they become unwell and unable to attend school and if they develop any one of the three main Covid-19 symptoms (see below). Contact the school via the normal absence line to notify us of illness absence and immediately should they be presenting any COVID-19 symptoms.
What to do if your child develops symptoms of coronavirus (Covid-19)
If your child develops symptoms of COVID-19, they must not come to school and should remain at home for at least 10 days from the date when their symptoms appeared. Anyone with symptoms will be eligible for a PCR test (the normally available test type) and this can be arranged via https://www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test or by calling 119.
All other household members who remain well, must stay at home and not leave the house for 10 days. This includes anyone in your ‘Support Bubble’.
Further information is available via the government website (click link):
The household isolation period includes the day the first person in your household’s symptoms started (or the day their test was taken if they did not have symptoms) and the next 10 full days. This means that if, for example, your 10-day isolation period starts on the 15th of the month, your isolation period ends at 23:59 hrs on the 25th and you can return to your normal routine.
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 10 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 your child does develop symptoms, you can seek advice from the nhs.uk website (click link):
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/
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