Latest letter to Parents

18^th March 2020

Latest update on the Coronavirus

Dear Parents,

As you already know, on 16 March 2020 the Government announced further steps in its plan to tackle the spread of Coronavirus COVID-19 and updated their advice for this ‘Delay Phase’.

The new features of this phase are:

• People with a new and persistent cough and / or a high temperature should self-isolate for 14 days, along with all members of their family/household. Note: This is a change from earlier advice. This means any children with a high temperature or cough must remain at home in isolation for 14 days even if the symptoms clear, as must people living in the household. It also means where someone in the household has a high temperature or cough, children cannot attend school and must remain in isolation for 14 days.

• People without symptoms of the virus are nevertheless asked to practice ‘social distancing’ through a range of means, such as working from home if possible, avoiding non-essential travel, not going to pubs, clubs, theatres and other social venues. This applies especially to people who are over 70, or are pregnant or have some health conditions.

• People with queries should search NHS online and should not call 111.

             Previously announced measures are:

• School trips abroad are banned with effect from Friday 13 March.
• Only people admitted to hospital will be tested for the virus.
• Older people with pre-existing conditions should not go on cruises.

You will find the government advice in full at this link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults

It is summarised in this table:

At this time, the Government has said that no schools need to close, and that we should all follow the advice from Public Health England.

In line with that advice, please ensure that your child stays at home for 14 days if they show any signs of a persistent cough or a high temperature; all other family / household members should also stay at home if one family member shows the symptoms.

As testing will now only be done upon hospital admission, we will be unable to confirm the numbers of cases, unless definitely confirmed by public Health England. This is because not everybody who gets symptoms of the virus and self-isolates will go on to be tested.

Precautions

To reiterate, the amended advice is now:

•           Self-isolate immediately for 14 days with your family / household members if you show the 

            symptoms outlined above.

•           Wash your hands regularly and for at least 20 seconds (we are including this in daily advice to  

            pupils at school)

•           Avoid touching your face and hands where possible;

•           Catch sneezes and coughs in a tissue, and then discard it immediately;

At present, the school has no confirmed cases, among teaching staff/pupils.

All School trips before Easter are currently cancelled.

Please be assured the school is liaising closely with Merton Council, the NHS and Public Health England, and will update you as necessary. For further health advice, visit:

www.nhs.uk/coronavirus

Yours Sincerely,

Anita Saville

Head Teacher