Latest Advice
The advice for the public has significantly changed, since Monday to:-
People with a fever or new persistent cough should stay at home (self-isolate) for 7 days if they live alone, or 14 days if they live with others.
Anyone who lives with someone displaying coronavirus symptoms should also stay at home (self-isolate) for 14 days.
Anyone self-isolating should not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. They should only contact NHS 111 if they feel they cannot cope with their symptoms at home, their condition gets worse, or their symptoms do not get better after 7 days.
Those aged over 70, pregnant or with an underlying medical conditions that makes them more vulnerable are advised to self-isolate – further details available at:- 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
2: School trips abroad have been banned by the UK Government with effect from Friday 13th March 2020.
3: Anyone returning to the UK from Hubei Province of China, Iran, Daegu or Cheongdo areas of South Korea, specific regions of Northern Italy between 19th February and 8th March 2020, or returned from any part of Italy after 9th March 2020, even if they do not have symptoms, should:-
Stay indoors and avoid contact with other people (self- isolate) for 14 days unless tested and advised otherwise by Public Health Wales.
Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital, but call NHS Direct Wales on 0845 4647 (or 111 if available in their local area), to inform them of their recent travel and destinations visited, and follow medical advice.
Maps of the specific regions referred to above may be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-specified-countries-and-areas/covid-19-specified-countries-and-areas-with-implications-for-returning-travellers-or-visitors-arriving-in-the-uk
4: Anyone who has travelled to the UK from another area of Italy not referred to above before 9th March 2020, or mainland China (outside od Hubei province) or South Korea (outside of Daegu or Cheongdo), Hong Kong, Japan, Macau, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar or Vietnam in the last 14 days and is experiencing a cough, fever or shortness of breath, even if symptoms are mild, should:-
Stay indoors and avoid contact with other people (self-isolate) for 14 days, unless tested and advised otherwise by Public Health Wales.
Not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital, but call NHS Direct Wales on 0845 4647 (or 111 if available in their local area) for medical advice.
Follow any medical advice
General advice regarding self-isolation, such as those fitting the criteria stated below, may be found https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-advice
Specific advice for those self-isolating while undergoing testing for Covid-19 may be found at
SCHOOL INFORMATION
As a school we are regularly updated from UK/Welsh Government and CCBC with advice regarding Coronavirus (Covid-19).
What are we doing?
We are aware of and following Government / LA advice and guidance. Discussed in briefings and staff meetings.
We have encouraged and promoted hand washing with staff, pupils and community.
Children and visitors wash hands on entry to school, at playtime and lunchtimes and washing facilities freely available and encouraged throughout the day.
Hand Sanitiser stations positioned around the school.
We have ensured we have a good stock of soap and washing products.
We share Government / NHS updates with staff, parents and community via Social Media, Newsletters and Website.
We are checking parents / children holiday destinations.
We are monitoring illness and absence of both pupils and staff.
Catch it, Bin it, Kill it actively encouraged and signs up around school. Tissues available throughout school.
Caerphilly Cleaning undertaking new cleaning protocol.
Parents can support our efforts by reinforcing with your child the need to wash their hands with soap throughout the school day and also reinforce the need to “catch it, bin it and kill it” when sneezing and coughing. It will also be highly beneficial for you to go over good toilet hygiene e.g. using the flush and washing hands.
Hand gel stations are now located around the school in order to further support our efforts.
PLEASE REMEMBER
It is important for us to be sensible regarding this situation and not cause panic or upset to children. This is a developing situation and we will update parents with additional advice as and when required.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE VIRUS
What is it?
A coronavirus is a type of virus. As a group, coronaviruses are common across the world. COVID-19 is a new strain of coronavirus first identified in Wuhan City, China in January 2020.
The incubation period of COVID-19 is between 2 and 14 days. This means that if a person remains well 14 days after contact with someone with confirmed coronavirus, it is unlikely that they have been infected.
The following symptoms may develop in the 14 days after exposure to someone who has COVID-19 infection:
cough
difficulty in breathing
fever
Generally, these infections can cause more severe symptoms in people with weakened immune systems, older people, and those with long-term conditions like diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease. There is no evidence that children are more affected than other age groups – very few cases have been reported in children.
How COVID-19 is spread?
From what we know about other coronaviruses, spread of COVID-19 is most likely to happen when there is close contact (within 2 metres) with an infected person. It is likely that the risk increases the longer someone has close contact with an infected person.
Droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes (termed respiratory secretions) containing the virus are most likely to be the most important means of transmission.
There are 2 routes by which people could become infected:
secretions can be directly transferred into the mouths or noses of people who are nearby (within 2 metres) or could be inhaled into the lungs
it is also possible that someone may become infected by touching a surface or object that has been contaminated with respiratory secretions and then touching their own mouth, nose, or eyes (such as touching a door knob or shaking hands then touching own face).
There is currently no good evidence that people who do not have symptoms are infectious to others.
Preventing spread of infection
There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus.
There are general principles anyone can follow to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:
washing your hands often
covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throwing the tissue in a bin. See Catch it, Bin it, Kill it
people who feel unwell should stay at home and should not attend work or any education or childcare setting
pupils, students, staff and visitors should wash their hands:
avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
avoid close contact with people who are unwell
clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
If you are worried about your symptoms or those of a child or colleague, please call NHS 111. Do not go directly to your GP or other healthcare environment
Please note: Face masks for the general public, pupils or students, or staff are not recommended to protect from infection, as there is no evidence of benefit from their use outside healthcare environments.
Links to Government Advice for Schools and the public:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-information-for-the-public
https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/latest-information-on-novel-coronavirus-covid-19/
The latest travel advice for overseas visits, including travel insurance implications, may be found on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website,
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus
Schools Coronavirus Contingency Plans click here to view