Dear Parents / Carers
There has been much coverage in the national media regarding the outbreak of coronavirus in parts of Northern Italy, China and South Korea.
A coronavirus is a type of virus. As a group, coronaviruses are common across the world. Typical symptoms of coronavirus include fever and a cough or shortness of breath and breathing difficulties, which in more severe cases, may lead to pneumonia. Generally, coronavirus can cause more severe symptoms in people with weakened immune systems, older people, and those with long-term conditions such as diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease. Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new strain of coronavirus first identified in Wuhan City, China.
If over the February half term, your child has travelled to any of the areas identified by Foreign & Commonwealth Office (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-information-for-the-public) and experiences flu-like symptoms you should self-isolate for 14 days and call NHS 111. Please note that Santa Caterina and Bormio in Northern Italy where the school ski trip at half term was located are currently not part of the areas in lockdown.
Please let the school know if you are keeping your child off school because you are concerned that they may have contracted coronavirus so that we can offer suitable support.
Public Health England: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/public-health-england
WHO: https://www.who.int/
FCO: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
Kind regards
Geraint Edwards