Editorial 18/11/2020
Dear Parent,
Due to the increase in cases of COVID-19 within schools, we would like to remind you of our procedures if your child develops symptoms or tests positive, as well as the guidance from Public Health England, with whom we are working closely.
Current Restrictions
In general, you must not meet with another person socially or undertake any activities with another person. However, you can exercise or meet in a public, outdoor space with people you live with, your support bubble (or as part of a childcare bubble), or with one other person.
You should minimise time spent outside your home. When around other people, stay 2 metres apart from anyone not in your household – meaning the people you live with – or your support bubble. Where this is not possible, stay 1 metre apart with extra precautions (e.g. wearing a face covering).
You must not meet socially indoors.
What to do if your child develops symptoms of COVID 19
If your child develops symptoms of COVID-19, they must not come to school and should remain at home for at least 10 days from the date when their symptoms appeared. You must inform the school by contacting Mrs S Fine at the Boys’ School (s.fine@hasmonean.co.uk) or Mrs M Palmer (m.palmer@hasmonean.co.uk) at the Girls’ School, who will then advise you how to proceed and the date of your child’s return to school.
• 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.
• All other household members who remain well, must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days. This includes anyone in your ‘Support Bubble’.
• Further information is available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection
• 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 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 14 days will greatly reduce the overall amount of infection the household could pass on to others in the community.
• If you are able, 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.
What to do if your child tests positive for COVID 19
If your child receives a positive COVID-19 test, we are asking parents to use the link on our website or the link here: https://forms.gle/AvbtNEunDx4MrM9A8 to inform us. All information will be dealt with confidentially.
We will use the information gathered from the form to contact identified students to let them know that they must isolate and also advise you of your child’s return date.
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)
Most people with coronavirus have at least one of these symptoms.
For most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.
If your child does develop symptoms, you can seek advice from the nhs.uk website at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/check-if-you-have-coronavirus-symptoms/. 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/
Yours sincerely
Hasmonean Multi-Academy Trust