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:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-specified-countries-and-areas/covid-19-specified-countries-and-areas-with-implications-for-returning-travellers-or-visitors-arriving-in-the-uk

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:

https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/latest-information-on-novel-coronavirus-covid-19/guidance-for-schools-advice-for-parents-or-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

https://youtu.be/bQCP7waTRW

Staff – 12th March 2020

The advice from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Public Health Wales (PHW) that one of the most effective means of protecting yourself is to follow good hygiene practices, in particular regular and proper hand washing

Below are a number of links / documents that you may download and print to display the relevant information at your location.

To ensure effective hand washing takes place, all staff, visitors and others (including pupils in our schools) have access to soap and water, or where this is not practicable, sanitising hand gel containing at least 60% alcohol. In addition bins are available to enable people to properly dispose of any used tissues.

You should keep yourself updated on the latest news and advice regarding the Coronavirus outbreak by visiting PHW website - https://phw.nhs.wales/

The revised Welsh Curriculum marks a shift in giving schools the responsibility to teach what best suits their children and young people with the support of a national framework. Teachers -you can now familiarise yourselves with the new model and start thinking how the teaching and learning at your school will underpin the new guidance.

https://hwb.gov.wales/curriculum-for-wales

The Welsh Government has issued guidance for schools and other educational settings on providing advice on the novel coronavirus, COVID-19.　

Directors are asked to advise their schools and other education settings of the publication of this guidance and of the need to regularly check the Public Health Wales Website for the latest information on coronavirus (COVID-19) generally. Posters & general information & advice can be downloaded from: https://phw.nhs.wales/topics/coronavirus/　　

For Current guidance & suggested lessons in Educational Settings please see: https://gov.wales/guidance-educational-settings-about-covid-19

Any specific queries or concerns, please contact the Health Protection Team at Public Health Wales: 0300 00 300 32 　　OR NHS Direct on: 0845 46 47

Updated advice has been provided in relation to the Coronavirus. 　The case definition has changed to include a wider range of countries.

In summary the advice is broken down into two categories:

Category 1:

Travellers should immediately self-isolate, even if asymptomatic (no visible signs of illness), and call NHS Direct (Wales) to inform of recent travel.

Category 1 countries are: Wuhan city and Hubei province (China), Iran, Daguerre or Cheongdo (Republic of Korea) and any Italian towns under containment measures.

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)

Category 2 countries are; Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Italy (north), Japan, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam.

Please refer to the following link as it has maps. This will allow people to identify whether they are in category 1 or 2 more easily.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-specified-countries-and-areas/covid-19-specified-countries-and-areas-with-implications-for-returning-travellers-or-visitors-arriving-in-the-uk

Individuals will need to check if the countries they have visited areas under containment measures by referring to the maps included in the above link. If they were in within a category 1 area then they will need to self-isolate, even if well, and contact NHS Direct (Wales) on 0845 46 47.

If they were not within the containment areas they will only need to self-isolate if they become ill with a fever, shortness of breath or cough.　

Please note that advice gets updated daily on the Public Health website and the attached advice from Welsh Government still applies.