If there is a possible case of coronavirus linked to your child’s bubble we will send you a copy of this letter.
We are writing to inform you that there has been a possible case of coronavirus linked to your child’s bubble. As a precaution they have been sent home in line with national guidance. At present, your child may continue to attend school as normal.
We are following the advice and guidance from the Department for Education which states that:
When a child, young person or staff member develops symptoms compatible with coronavirus (COVID-19), they should be sent home and advised to self-isolate for 7 days and arrange to have a test to see if they have COVID-19. They can do this by visiting NHS.UK to arrange or contact NHS 119 via telephone if they do not have internet access. Their fellow household members should self-isolate for 14 days.
Where the child, young person or staff member tests negative, they can return to their setting and the fellow household members can end their self-isolation.
Where the child, young person or staff member tests positive, the rest of their class or group within their childcare or education setting should be sent home and advised to self-isolate for 14 days. The other household members of that wider class or group do not need to self-isolate unless the child, young person or staff member they live with in that group subsequently develops symptoms. All staff and students who are attending an education or childcare setting will have access to a test if they display symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), and are encouraged to get tested in this scenario. Visit www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance
If anyone in the household develops a fever, or a new continuous cough, or a loss of, or change in, their normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia), they are advised to follow the COVID-19: guidance for households with possible coronavirus (COVID-19) infection guidance (which states that the ill person should remain in isolation for 7 days and the rest of the household in isolation for 14 days).
At present the case is not confirmed. However, we will let you know if the case proves positive and we need to go ahead with asking the rest of the bubble to self isolate.
In the meantime, can we please take this opportunity to remind you of the steps that we can all take to minimise the risk of spreading infection. It is important to remember that people can have and spread the infection even when they don’t have symptoms. These simple measures are:
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Wash your hands for 20 seconds regularly, use hand sanitiser where hand washing is not possible.
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Stay 2m away from people not in your household where possible. Wear a face covering when in enclosed public spaces, where social distancing is not always possible (e.g. public transport).
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If you develop symptoms of COVID-19, however mild, then you must isolate, along with your household contacts, and get a test.