Precaution regarding Coronavirus

Latest Coronavirus Information – Updated 26/02/20

The government has today issued new guidance regarding Coronavirus (Covid-19).

We are aware that of some of our families travel overseas during school holidays and might have visited regions in northern Italy or other areas/countries which are now in lockdown due to high numbers of people testing positive for Coronavirus; or being advised to self-isolate.

This is the updated guidance from Public Health England that we have received:

If you have returned from these specific areas since 19 February, you should call NHS111 and stay indoors and avoid contact with other people even if you do not have symptoms:

Specific lockdown areas in northern Italy are as follows:

Towns in Lombardy region, northern Italy:

Codogno

Castiglione d’Adda

Casalpusterlengo

Fombio

Maleo

Somaglia

Bertonico

Terranova dei Passerini

Castelgerundo

San Fiorano

Town in the Veneto region, northern Italy:

Vo’ Euganeo

Other countries:

Iran

Special care zones in South Korea as designated by the Government of the Republic of South Korea

Hubei province (returned in the past 14 days)

If you have recently returned from the areas below and develop symptoms, however mild, you should stay indoors at home and avoid contact with other people immediately and call NHS111. You do not need to follow this advice if you have no symptoms.

Northern Italy excluding the towns above and Pisa, Florence and Rimini

Cambodia

China (excluding Hubei province)

Laos

Myanmar

Hong Kong

Japan

Macau

Malaysia

Republic of Korea

Singapore

Taiwan

Thailand

Vietnam

Thank you for continuing to support our school by sharing messages of good hygiene with your families and friends. Below is some more information which I hope you will find useful.

Here is a link to the Information Sheet

Staff will continue to greet students on arrival of school at the front and back entrances. As a precaution against the spread of germs at the moment, we will be refraining from shaking hands. This is a proactive and precautionary measure only.

Here is advice from Public Health England to share with the school community:

What is the coronavirus?

The 2019 Novel Coronavirus has been spreading since it was first reported in December 2019.

Symptoms include fever and respiratory symptoms including coughing and shortness of breath. Generally, coronavirus 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.

If you develop these symptoms and have recently travelled to an area where the coronavirus is being widely reported or believe you may have come in contact with the virus then you should stay indoors and call NHS 111 informing them of the details linking you to the virus.

A case of coronavirus has been confirmed in Brighton & Hove?

An individual has tested positive and has been taken to a hospital where they are being well cared for.

Public Health England is the lead organisation responding to the situation. Public Health England is working with partner organisations to take measures to prevent any possible further spread of the virus.

Anyone who may have been in contact with the virus is currently being identified and will be contacted directly by Public Health England.

What should I do?

If you are feeling unwell and have not been contacted by Public Health England, then there is no need for concern.

You should continue to treat your symptoms as usual for seasonal flu or a common cold. If you feel unwell and do not know what you should do, then call NHS 111.

As always, if you have symptoms of a cold or flu, then there are measures you can take to bugs spreading:

Always carry tissues with you and use them to catch your cough or sneeze. Then bin the tissue, and wash your hands, or use a sanitiser gel.
Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after using public transport. Use a sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact with people who are unwell.

Where can I find more information?

Information for the public: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-information-for-the-public
Blog and frequently asked questions: https://publichealthmatters.blog.gov.uk/2020/01/23/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-what-you-need-to-know/

Travel advice for those travelling and living overseas: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus

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