Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates
UPDATE 17TH MARCH 2020 – PARTIAL SCHOOL CLOSURE LETTER FROM HEADTEACHER DENNIS O’SULLIVAN
Dear Parent \ Carer and Student
At the moment we have 16 staff out of school due to the coronavirus arrangements. I expect more absence tomorrow as staff have sick relatives at home or are showing symptoms themselves. Six are in high vulnerability groups as defined by Public Health England and so advised to self-isolate. We cannot staff the lessons and kids are getting a bit fed up with cover lessons and age relevant DVDs. Even though we now have almost 200 students at home, we do not have enough staff to cover the lessons of absent colleagues.
Whilst awaiting government instructions I have decided to prioritise Year 11 and Year 13 classes and to cancel all other lessons.
At the end of today, Tuesday 17th, Chauncy will close until further notice for all except:
Year 13
Year 11
Children on free school meals in Year 7-10 will be encouraged to come in and have lunch with us at the usual time, 1.30pm.
Staff not teaching will go home.
Caretaking staff and skeleton Admin will remain for the next three days.
Our management team will be available.
Cleaners will commence deeper cleaning than usual, according to guidance.
Parents will know that we put a large amount of resources on Edulink.
Please visit https://chauncyschool.com/online-learning for more information about our online learning platforms.
With regards to online learning, further guidance will follow in due course.
We do not close without reason and I am very sorry to be doing so now.
However, the school is home to 1134 children and around 120 staff: at the best of times it is a hotbed of sniffs, coughs and sneezes. Today it is a breeding ground beyond our control.
Steve Walton and I will let you know any developments via Edulink, our website and Facebook.
Stay well.
Dennis O’Sullivan (Headteacher)
17.03.2020 – Coronavirus – Updated advice from Public Health England
PLEASE VISIT THESE WEBSITES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND ADVICE:
https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
Steve Walton (Deputy Headteacher)
16.03.2020 – Coronavirus – Updated letter to parents.
Please find attached our latest letter which contains advice from Professor Jim McManus (Director of Public Health), and Simon Newland, Operations Director for Children’s Services), Hertfordshire County Council.
Steve Walton (Deputy Headteacher)
13.03.2020 – Coronavirus Updated Guidance – Stay at home: guidance for people with confirmed or possible coronavirus (COVID-19) infection: Published 12 March 2020
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of:
- A high temperature (37.8 degrees and above)
- A new, continuous cough
For most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild infection
Key messages
- if you have symptoms of coronavirus infection (COVID-19), however mild, stay at home and do not leave your house for 7 days from when your symptoms started. (See Ending Isolation section below for more information)
- this action will help protect others in your community whilst you are infectious.
- plan ahead and ask others for help to ensure that you can successfully stay at home.
- ask your employer, friends and family to help you to get the things you need to stay at home.
- stay at least 2 metres (about 3 steps) away from other people in your home whenever possible.
- sleep alone, if that is possible.
- wash your hands regularly for 20 seconds, each time using soap and water.
- stay away from vulnerable individuals such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions as much as possible.
- you do not need to call NHS111 to go into self-isolation. If your symptoms worsen during home isolation or are no better after 7 days contact NHS 111 online. If you have no internet access, you should call NHS 111. For a medical emergency dial 999.
Who this guidance is for
This advice is intended for people with symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), including those with a diagnosis of coronavirus (COVID-19) infection, who must remain at home until they are well.
Will I be tested if I think I have COVID-19
We will not be testing those self-isolating with mild symptoms. The following advice is designed to help people prevent the spread.
Why has the advice on self-isolation changed from 14 days to 7 days
The 14 day period is for those who have had exposure to a confirmed case but have not shown symptoms. The 14 days represents the potential incubation period (the time it takes for symptoms to show if you have been infected).
Most people will no longer be likely to transmit the virus 7 days after the onset of symptoms. You do not need to call NHS111 to go into self-isolation. If your symptoms persist past 7 days you should contact NHS 111 online at 111.nhs.uk. If you have no internet access, you should call NHS 111.
Why staying at home is very important
It is very important that you stay at home whilst you have coronavirus (COVID-19). This will help to protect your friends, colleagues and the wider community and will help control the spread of the virus.
We realise that staying at home may be difficult or frustrating, but there are things that you can do to help make it easier. These include:
- Plan ahead and think about what you will need in order to be able to stay at home for the full 7 days.
- Talk to your employer, friends and family to ask for their help to access the things you will need in order to successfully stay at home.
- Think about and plan how you can get access to food and other supplies such as medications that you will need during this period.
- Ask friends or family to drop off anything you need or order supplies online, but make sure these are left outside your home for you to collect.
- Make sure that you keep in touch with friends and family over the phone or through social media.
- Think about things you can do during your time at home. People who have successfully completed a period of staying at home have kept themselves busy with activities such as cooking, reading, online learning and watching films.
- When you are feeling better, remember that physical exercise can be good for your wellbeing. Look for online classes or courses that can help you take light exercise in your home.
While you are staying at home, make sure you do the following things:
Stay at home
You should remain in your home. Do not go to work, school, or public areas, and do not use public transport or taxis. You cannot go for a walk.
You will need to ask friends or relatives if you require help with buying groceries, other shopping or picking up medication. Alternatively, you can order medication by phone or online. You can also order your shopping online. Make sure you tell delivery drivers to leave items outside for collection if you order online. The delivery driver should not come into your home.
At home, try as best you can to separate yourself from the people you live with
You should aim to stay in a well-ventilated room with a window that can be opened. Try to keep the window open as much as possible to enable ventilation and air flow as this will help to keep clean air moving through your room.
Try to separate yourself from other people in your home and keep the door closed. If you cannot stay in a separate room aim to keep 2 metres (3 steps) away from the other people in your house. We understand that this can be particularly difficult for parents of small children, people with other caring responsibilities or those living in studio apartments, for example.
Further advice can be found below. Try to keep yourself separated from other people as much as possible, and make sure everyone regularly follows the steps in this document (washing your hands, not touching your face, cleaning surfaces etc.).
Use your own toothbrushes, eating and drinking utensils (including cups and glasses in the bathroom and bedroom), dishes, drinks, towels, washcloths or bedlinen.
If you have your own garden it is fine to use it as long as you keep two metres away from other members of your household. If possible they should use the outside area separately.
Use of shared spaces if you live with others
Minimise the time you spend in shared spaces such as kitchens, bathrooms and sitting areas as much as possible and keep shared spaces well ventilated.
Aim to keep 2 metres (3 steps) away from people you live with and sleep in a different bed where possible. If you can use a separate bathroom from the rest of the household. Make sure you use separate towels from other people in your house, both for drying yourself after bathing or showering and for hand hygiene purposes. Ask your family or the people you live with to remember to use their own towels.
If you do share toilet and bathroom, it is important that you clean them after you have used them every time (e.g. wiping surfaces you have come in contact with). Another tip is to consider drawing up a rota for bathing, with you using the facilities last, before thoroughly cleaning the bath, sink and toilet yourself.
If you share a kitchen with others, avoid using it whilst others are present. Take your meals back to your room to eat. If you have one, use a dishwasher to clean and dry your used crockery and cutlery. If this is not possible, wash them using your usual washing up liquid and warm water and dry them thoroughly, remembering to use a separate tea towel.
We understand that it will be difficult for some people to separate themselves from others at home. You should do your very best to follow this guidance and everyone in your household should regularly wash their hands, avoid touching their face and clean frequently touched surfaces.
What if I am living alone with my children?
Keep following this advice to the best of your ability however we are aware that not all these measures will be possible.
What we have seen so far is that children with COVID-19 appear to be less severely affected.
It is nevertheless important to do your best to follow this guidance.
If your child develops symptoms, they need to stay at home for 7 days from the onset of their symptoms.
What if I live with an older, vulnerable or pregnant person?
If you provide care to an elderly, vulnerable or pregnant person keep following this advice to the best of your ability.
However, we are aware that not all these measures will be possible.
What if I am breastfeeding while infected?
There is currently no clinical evidence to suggest that the virus can be transmitted through breast milk. Infection can be spread to the baby in the same way as to anyone in close contact with you. We believe that the benefits of breastfeeding outweigh any potential risks of transmission of the virus through breastmilk or by being in close contact, however this will be an individual decision and can be discussed with your midwife, health visitor or GP by telephone.
If you wish to breastfeed, you should take precautions to limit potential spread of COVID-19 to the baby:
- Wash your hands before touching the baby, breast pump or bottles;
- Avoid coughing or sneezing on the baby while feeding at the breast;
- If you use a breast pump, clean it as recommended by the manufacturer after each use;
- Consider asking someone who is well to feed your expressed breast milk to the baby
If you are feeding with formula or expressed milk, you should sterilise the equipment carefully before each use. You should not share bottles or a breast pump with someone else.
You can find more information Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists website.
Cleaning and disposal of waste
When cleaning you should use your usual household products, like detergents and bleach as these will be very effective at getting rid of the virus on surfaces. Clean frequently touched surfaces.
Personal waste (e.g. used tissues) and disposable cleaning cloths can be stored securely within disposable rubbish bags. These bags should be placed into another bag, tied securely and kept separate from other waste within your own room. This should be put aside for at least 72 hours before being put in your usual external household waste bin.
Other household waste can be disposed of as normal.
Laundry
Do not shake dirty laundry; this minimises the possibility of dispersing virus through the air.
Wash items as appropriate in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Dirty laundry that has been in contact with an ill person can be washed with other people’s items.
If you do not have a washing machine you can then take your laundry to a launderette after your isolation period has ended.
If you do not have a washing machine wait a further 72 hours after your 7 day isolation period has ended when you can then take your laundry to a public laundromat.
What you can do to help yourself get better
Drink water to keep yourself hydrated; you should drink enough during the day so your urine (pee) is a pale clear colour. You can use over the counter medications, such as paracetamol, to help with some of your symptoms. Use these according to the instructions on the packet/label and do not exceed the recommended dose.
If you need to seek medical advice
Seek prompt medical attention if your illness is worsening. If it’s not an emergency, contact NHS 111 online at 111.nhs.uk. If you have no internet access, you should call NHS 111. If it is an emergency and you need to call an ambulance, dial 999 and inform the call handler or operator that you have coronavirus (COVID-19).
All routine medical and dental appointments should usually be cancelled whilst you are sick and staying at home. If you are concerned or have been asked to attend in person within the period you are home isolating, discuss this with your medical contact first (e.g. your GP, local hospital or outpatient service), using the number they have provided. If your concerns are related to COVID-19 contact NHS 111 online at 111.nhs.uk. If you have no internet access, you should call NHS 111.
Wash your hands often
Cleaning your hands frequently throughout the day by washing with soap and water for 20 seconds or using hand sanitiser will help protect you and the people you live with. This step is one of the most effective ways of reducing the risk of infection to you and to other people.
Cover your coughs and sneezes
Cover your mouth and nose with disposable tissues when you cough or sneeze.
If you have a carer they should take care to use disposable tissues to wipe away any mucus or phlegm after you have sneezed or coughed.
Dispose of tissues into a disposable rubbish bag and immediately wash your hands with soap and water or use a hand sanitiser.
Facemasks
We do not recommend the use of facemasks as an effective means of preventing the spread of infection. Facemasks play an important role in clinical settings, such as hospitals, but there’s very little evidence of benefit from their use outside of these settings. However if you receive external care you may be asked to wear a mask to minimise the risk to your carer.
Do not have visitors in your home
Do not invite or allow social visitors, such as friends and family, to enter your home. If you want to speak to someone who is not a member of your household, use the phone or social media.
If you have pets in the household
At present, there is no evidence that companion animals/pets such as dogs and cats can be infected with coronavirus (COVID-19).
Looking after your wellbeing whilst staying at home
We know that staying at home for a prolonged period of time can be difficult, frustrating and lonely for some people and that you may feel low. It’s important to remember to take care of your mind as well as your body and to get support if and when you need it. Stay in touch with family and friends over the phone or on social media. There are also sources of support and information that can help.
https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/
Think about things you can do during your time at home. People who have successfully completed a period of staying at home have kept themselves busy with activities such as cooking, reading, online learning and watching films. If you feel well enough you can take part in light exercise within your home or garden.
Ending self-isolation
You should remain at home until 7 days after the onset of your symptoms. After 7 days, if you feel better and no longer have a high temperature, you can return to your normal routine. If you have not had any signs of improvement and have not already sought medical advice, you should contact NHS 111 online at 111.nhs.uk. If you have no internet access, you should call NHS 111.
Cough may persist for several weeks in some people, despite the coronavirus infection having cleared. A persistent cough alone does not mean you must continue to self-isolate for more than 7 days.
08.03.2020: CORONAVIRUS UPDATE
We ran information assemblies for all students last week. The BBC have produced a helpful video that summarises most of the information shared. You can view this video here.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/embed/p085llls/51787238
We are receiving daily updates from the Department for Education, Public Health England and Hertfordshire County Council. Up to date information can be found here:
The Department for Education coronavirus helpline is now available to answer questions about COVID-19 relating to education and children’s social care. Staff, parents and young people can contact this helpline as follows:
Phone: 0800 046 8687
Email: DfE.coronavirushelpline@education.gov.uk
Opening hours: 8am to 6pm (Monday to Friday)
We will update parents and carers with any significant changes to Government advice via our Edulink e-mail and messenger software.
Steve Walton (Deputy Headteacher)
26.02.2020 – CORONAVIRUS UPDATE: A STATEMENT FROM PUBLIC HEALTH, HERTFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
Further to my e-mail to parents on Tuesday 26th February 2020, Professor Jim McManus, Director of Public Health for Hertfordshire County Council has released the following statement for parents and carers:
As you will be aware, there has been a lot of information in the news about returning trips to Italy over half term in light of the recent measures put in place by the Italian Authorities on Coronavirus.
We would like to assure you that there is no cause for concern, none of the school trips run by Hertfordshire schools were within the ten towns which the Italian Authorities have put on quarantine measures and Hertfordshire residents remain at low risk.
If you have returned from the quarantined towns and develop flu like symptoms, please stay at home, avoid contact with other people and call NHS111.
Taking basic hygiene precautions remains the best way to reduce the chances of spreading any virus: sneeze or cough into a tissue, bin it, wash your hands frequently and don’t touch your face unless you’ve just washed your hands. Using a normal detergent to clean the surfaces people touch regularly like door handles and lift buttons is also sensible.
Please visit www.gov.uk/coronavirus for the most up to date advice.
Steve Walton (Deputy Headteacher)
25.02.2020: CORONAVIRUS LETTER TO PARENTS \ CARERS – CHAUNCY SCHOOL
Please find below a letter regarding coronavirus (COVID-19).
Steve Walton (Deputy Headteacher)