Wednesday 31st March 2021
YOUR CHILD HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS SOMEONE WHO NEEDS TO SELF-ISOLATE
Advice for Specific Students in the Year 10 bubble to self-isolate for 10 days
Dear parent or guardian,
We are writing to confirm that we have, this morning, had reported to the school a confirmed positive case of coronavirus (COVID-19) via a home lateral flow device test, and having followed the national guidance and consultation with the DfE, we have identified that your child has potentially been in close contact with an affected individual.
In line with the guidance, we now await a PCR test outcome to confirm the result of the lateral flow device.
But as we stand now, again, adhering to the guidance we must follow, your child must now stay at home and self-isolate until 3pm Friday 9th April 2021 (10 days after defined close contact).
If the PCR test (which overrides a home lateral flow test) comes back as negative we will inform you of this as soon as we are made aware so that the self-isolation period can then cease. Until you hear otherwise, however, please follow the self-isolation expectation outlined in the paragraph above.
If your child is well at the end of this 10 day period of self-isolation they can return to all their usual activities. Other members of your household can continue normal activities provided your child does not develop any symptoms within the 10 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 10 days. This includes anyone in your ‘Support Bubble’.
The 10-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 10 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.
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 thanking you for your continued support, and for your understanding of the guidance to which we must adhere.
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