Should you have any specific queries in relation to a specific set of circumstances, please direct these to the Public Health and Protection team at:
coronaviruscounciladvice@rctcbc.gov.uk
12/03/20
Dear Parent/Carer,
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
In respect of Covid-19 or Coronavirus, the Council felt that it would be helpful to provide some general advice on the virus in respect of pupils attending school.
A coronavirus is a type of virus. As a group, coronaviruses are common across the world and COVID-19 is a new strain of coronavirus first identified in Wuhan City, China in December 2019.
The situation around the virus continues to change but in summary the current advice is broken down into two categories:
1. Category 1 - travellers should immediately self-isolate, even if asymptomatic (no visible signs of illness), and call NHS Direct (Wales) to inform of any recent travel.
2. Category 2 - travellers do not need to undertake any special measures, but if they develop symptoms they should self-isolate and call NHS Direct (Wales).
In terms of the above categories then:
1. Category 1 - countries are currently; Wuhan city and Hubei province (China), Iran, Daegu or Cheongdo(Republic of Korea) and Italy*.
2. Category 2 - countries are currently; Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam.
* Travelers’ who returned from areas of Northern Italy that were under containment measures (see map link below) between 19 February and 8 March 2020 should self-isolate for 14 days. If they develop symptoms they should contact NHS111. Any Travelers’ who returned from the rest of Italy before 9 March 2020 do not need to undertake any special measures, but if they develop symptoms they should self-isolate and call NHS 111.
The following link will allow people to identify whether they are in category 1 or 2 more easily:
The incubation period of the virus is between 2 and 14 days. This means that if a person remains well 14 days after contact with someone with confirmed coronavirus, they have not been infected.
Travellers returning from other countries, including France, need take no special measures although people are encouraged to check the information on the website links as these are updated daily.
What are the symptoms of Novel Coronavirus?
Symptoms similar to other respiratory viruses such as the flu. These may include:
➢ Cough
➢ Shortness of breath
➢ 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 and presently there have been very few cases reported in children.
The following link to Public Health Wales (PHW) will provided further information for parents and carers:
To conclude, based on the current advice from the UK Government, Welsh Government and PHW,unless pupils (and/or their families) have visited the countries identified in categories above, then they can continue to attend school as normal.
Ar ran / On behalf of: Gaynor Davies,Cyfarwyddwr y Gwasanaeth Addysg a Chynhwysiant / Director of Education and Inclusion Services