Dear Parent/ Carer,
Re: Coronavirus concerns
You’re likely aware of the outbreak of novel coronavirus in China and the subsequent confirmed cases in the UK. At Holy Trinity CE Primary Academy, 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.
Extra care and necessary precautions should be taken before travelling in line with Public Health and Government guidance.
There’s 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 sanitiser 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 environments
If you or your children have returned from anywhere in Hubei province in the past 14 days
Contact NHS 111 for advice, and:
- Self-isolate for 14 days after leaving Hubei (see the home isolation advice sheet for help with this)
- 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 specified area in the last 14 days
The specified areas are:
- China (other than Hubei)
- Hong Kong
- Japan
- Macau
- Malaysia
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Taiwan
- Thailand
- Spain
- Italy
- Europe
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 the home isolation advice sheet for help with this)
- 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 the specified areas or Hubei, 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 sanitiser if soap and water aren’t available)
If you or your child have any further concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to contact the school.
Yours sincerely
Mr Dickson
Principal