COVID-19 Update for Parents

Dear Parents

Re: Advice to All Parents - Single case of COVID-19 at Countesthorpe Academy  - member of support staff.

We have been advised by Public Health England that there has been a confirmed case of COVID-19 of a member of support staff from within our school, though they did not have symptoms whilst in school. The member of staff works in an area of the school where they do not have any contact with students. Close contacts were quickly identified, and three other members of our support staff team are currently self-isolating as a precaution.

We are continuing to monitor the situation and are working closely with Public Health England. This letter is to inform you of the current situation and provide advice on how you can support.

Please be reassured that for most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.

Can I please reiterate the very important advice that was sent out last week. A child MUST self isolate as soon as a household member thinks they have symptoms to avoid this risk of wider transmission reoccurring. If the test result for the household member comes back positive then everyone in the household must continue to follow isolation guidance and inform the school.

The school remains open and providing your child remains well they can continue to attend school as normal. We will keep this under review.

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 a tests should be arranged immediately by booking online through the NHS testing and tracing for coronavirus website, or ordered by telephone via NHS 119. Essential workers, in education or childcare, have priority access to testing.

All other household members who remain well must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days. The 14-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 household members do not stay at home as advised then they risk wider transmission of coronavirus, resulting in schools having to request other members of our school community to self-isolate. Household members staying at home for 14 days will greatly reduce the overall amount of infection the household could pass on to others in the community

If you are able to, 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 important symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of any of the following:

  • a new continuous cough
  • a high temperature
  • a loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)

For most people, COVID-19 will be a mild illness. However, if you have any of the symptoms above you must stay at home and arrange to have a test to see if you have COVID-19 – go to testing to arrange. If your child or anyone in the household does develop symptoms, you can seek advice from NHS 111 at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/check-if-you-have-coronavirus-symptoms/  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/

Thank you for our continued support in these challenging circumstances.

Yours sincerely

Mrs C Aitcheson

Principal

This page was last updated: 9th September 2020