What to do for suspected & confirmed cases of Covid-19
As you will be aware, the operating guidance for schools during the current pandemic has changed. We thought it would be helpful to update you on the key information relating to these changes. We remain grateful to the parents who are keeping their child at home when they are unwell; this helps keep their friends and our staff well.
At Nunthorpe Primary Academy, our Senior Leadership Team have worked through the guidance. This means that we are now able to do many of the things that make school a special place for your children.
There are links to other sources of information, should you wish to learn more about the reasons behind the changes that have been made.
People with symptoms should stay at home and avoid contact with other people
Adults who have symptoms of a respiratory infection, including coronavirus symptoms, and who have a high temperature or feel unwell should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people until they feel well enough to resume normal activities and no longer have a high temperature. Adults with symptoms should try to work from home where possible. These measures should be followed even where the individual has not taken a coronavirus test.
This also applies to children and young people – they can return to school when they feel well enough to attend and no longer have a high temperature.
People with a confirmed case of coronavirus should also stay at home
If an adult tests positive for coronavirus, they should try to stay at home and avoid contact with others for five days. Nunthorpe Primary pupils and other young people under 18 who test positive should try to stay at home for three days.
Children and young people who live with someone who has a confirmed case of coronavirus should continue to attend school as normal.
New advice covers actions that will reduce the chance of spreading infection
The UKHSA has also provided advice on actions that symptomatic individuals, or individuals with a confirmed case of coronavirus, can take if they do leave the house while they are infectious. These actions include:
- Wearing a face covering.
- Avoiding crowded places such as public transport or large social gatherings.
- Avoiding areas that are enclosed or poorly ventilated.
- Avoiding close contact with other people.
- Covering your mouth and nose when you sneeze and cough.
- Washing your hands frequently with soap and water or hand sanitiser.
These actions also apply to those trying to reduce the spread of infection within their homes.
Free coronavirus tests will no longer be available for the general public. They will continue to be available for specific groups; however, schools are not included.
Most of the school-specific guidance has been withdrawn from 1 April
The DfE has said that most of the school-specific coronavirus guidance should be withdrawn on 1 April.
The UKHSA has published new guidance that applied from 1 April, that our school is now following:
- Living safely with respiratory infections, including COVID-19
- People with symptoms of a respiratory infection including COVID-19
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the DfE have also released new and updated guidance, ‘Health protection in schools and other childcare facilities’.
The latest guidance sets out actions to help reduce the risk of catching and spreading coronavirus for our families
The UKHSA’s ‘Living safely with respiratory infections, including COVID-19’ guidance sets out several actions that will help to reduce the risk of catching and spreading infection. These actions apply to everyone and are as follows:
- Get vaccinated if possible
- Keep indoor areas well ventilated by letting fresh air in
- Remember the basics of good hygiene
- Wear a face covering if you have symptoms or have tested positive
Advice for those previously considered clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) has been updated
The UKHSA and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) have updated their guidance for people previously considered CEV from coronavirus.
The guidance now states that most people who were CEV are no longer at a substantially greater risk than the general population and are advised to follow the same guidance as everyone else on staying safe and preventing the spread of coronavirus. The guidance also encourages those who were previously CEV to get vaccinated against coronavirus.
Separate guidance is available for people whose immune system means they are at a higher risk.
If you need to share information with staff please email teachers or the school office. Teachers contact details can be found on our school website. If your communication is urgent please call the school office on 01642 315508.
Email is the best form of correspondence as our office may be short staffed
Please email enquiries@nunthorpeprimary.org.uk
Thank you for your support.
