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COVID-19 virus update
4th March 2020
Recently, there have been media reports about Coronavirus in the UK and in Surrey and at Athena Schools Trust, we are monitoring the situation continuously as we follow the national guidance.
The advice to us from Public Health England and Surrey County Council remains the same and is as follows:-
1) Where a suspected case has been in a childcare or educational setting, there is no need to close the setting or send other learners or staff home.
2) Even if there is a confirmed case in your childcare or educational setting, in most cases, closure of the childcare or education setting will be unnecessary and advice would be provided by Public Health England.
3) As always, everyone should continue to promote good hand and respiratory hygiene:
• 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.
• 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).
• Avoid close contact with people who are unwell. Remember, if you have any direct medical concerns, to contact NHS 111.
The Department for Education have set up a Coronavirus helpline (tel 0800 046 8687) for queries relating to schools and other educational establishments in England. Lines are open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm.
Please be assured that when there is a confirmed case, Public Health England (PHE) use the method of contact tracing to prevent the infection spreading further. Please see the link below to find out more about contact tracing: https://publichealthmatters.blog.gov.uk/2020/02/13/expert-interview-what-is-contact-tracing/
For further information, please see www.nhs.uk/coronavirus and ‘Guidance to educational settings about COVID19’ https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-educational-settings-about-covid-19/guidance-to-educational-settings-about-covid-19
I realise that for some families the current situation is difficult, but you have our absolute assurance that the health and safety of your children and of the Trust's staff remains our highest priority.
Jack Mayhew, Executive Headteacher Athena Schools Trust
Recently, there have been media reports about Coronavirus in the UK and in Surrey and at Athena Schools Trust, we are monitoring the situation continuously as we follow the national guidance.
The advice to us from Public Health England and Surrey County Council remains the same and is as follows:-
1) Where a suspected case has been in a childcare or educational setting, there is no need to close the setting or send other learners or staff home.
2) Even if there is a confirmed case in your childcare or educational setting, in most cases, closure of the childcare or education setting will be unnecessary and advice would be provided by Public Health England.
3) As always, everyone should continue to promote good hand and respiratory hygiene:
• 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.
• 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).
• Avoid close contact with people who are unwell. Remember, if you have any direct medical concerns, to contact NHS 111.
The Department for Education have set up a Coronavirus helpline (tel 0800 046 8687) for queries relating to schools and other educational establishments in England. Lines are open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm.
Please be assured that when there is a confirmed case, Public Health England (PHE) use the method of contact tracing to prevent the infection spreading further. Please see the link below to find out more about contact tracing: https://publichealthmatters.blog.gov.uk/2020/02/13/expert-interview-what-is-contact-tracing/
For further information, please see www.nhs.uk/coronavirus and ‘Guidance to educational settings about COVID19’ https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-educational-settings-about-covid-19/guidance-to-educational-settings-about-covid-19
I realise that for some families the current situation is difficult, but you have our absolute assurance that the health and safety of your children and of the Trust's staff remains our highest priority.
Jack Mayhew, Executive Headteacher Athena Schools Trust
