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Coronavirus - Updated Advice as of March 16th 2020

Posted: 23/03/20

Coronavirus - Updated Advice as of March 16th 2020

On Monday, March 16th  the government and NHS updated their advice on Coronavirus. The new advice states:

Stay at home for 7 days if you have either:

  • A high temperature
  • A new, continuous cough
  • if you live with other people, they should stay at home for 14 days from the day the first person got symptoms

If you live with someone who is 70 or over, has a long-term condition, is pregnant or has a weakened immune system, try to find somewhere else for them to stay for 14 days.

For further information, please see: www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19

For information on social distancing and vulnerable people: 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

Please call our school attendance line 020 8254 7804 or email attendance@oaksparkhigh.org.uk as usual to report an absence and please specify the symptoms.

Government advice regarding use of NHS 111 has also changed. Dial 111 if: 

  • you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home
  • your condition gets worse
  • your symptoms do not get better after 7 days

We continue to monitor the government advice daily and will ensure any updates are communicated quickly.

These changes to isolation requirements may cause the school to have to partially close - or close - at short notice if there is signficant impact on staff numbers. Please check the website, school app or email by 7.15 every day for any updates.

Up to Date Advice

Latest advice - updated daily - can be found the government's official site here;

www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public

Department for Education Coronavirus Helpline

The DfE have launched a new helpline to answer questions about COVID-19 related to education. Staff, parents and young people can contact the helpline as follows:

Phone: 0800 046 8687

Preventing the Spread of Infection

The advice regarding hygiene remains and we continue to reiterate to students the importance of regular and â€‹thorough hand washing, and good hygiene including sneezing and coughing into tissues or sleeve and not hands.

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 - with soap and water, or use alcohol sanitiser if handwashing facilities are not available. This is particularly important after taking public transport
  • 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:
    • before leaving home
    • on arrival at school
    • after using the toilet
    • before food preparation
    • before eating any food, including snacks
    • before leaving school
  • use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser that contains at least 60% alcohol 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
  • 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

see further information on the Public Health England Blog and the NHS UK website.

For Advice on Travel

www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus

What should I do to prevent catching and spreading the virus?

Coronovirus poster