Coronavirus Advice

13th March 2020

COVID-19

At present across the world there are concerns about coronavirus and the picture changes rapidly from day to day.

We are regularly checking and acting on advice and guidance from Public Health England. At the time of writing the government has moved to the ‘Delay’ stage (to slow the spread) of their action plan and we will continue to follow their advice;

a) The main focus being to wash hands more often than usual, for 20 seconds using soap and hot water, particularly after coughing, sneezing and blowing your nose. At St Wilfrid’s we have been reminding the children of the importance of this and how to do it.

b) To cough or sneeze into tissues (we have ordered more boxes to have in class) and then throw the tissue away immediately. If they do not have a tissue, then to cover their mouth or nose with their sleeve and to avoid touching their face or nose with unwashed hands.

c) Our cleaners have been putting an even greater emphasis on cleaning ‘touch points’ (e.g handles, rails etc) in the evening and Mr Irons after first break is cleaning these ‘touch points’ again.

d) The latest guidance is that any person with a new continuous cough and/or a high temperature, however mild, should self- isolate for 7 days. If this has to be done then please ring the School Office to inform us.

I have had a number of parents contact me concerned that school is due to shut down.

The government, as part of their action plan, may consider closure of schools but the current advice, as of today from the DFE, is that schools are advised to remain open unless Public Health England advises otherwise.

It is therefore only prudent to consider and make plans in the event of this happening. This may include use of the Class Pages on Eschools and possible project work which could be completed. Further details will be shared with you in the future.

It is an unprecedented event and I want to reassure you that the safety and well being of our children is at the forefront of all we do and the decisions we make will be guided by Government and Public Health England advice.

Mr Baker