Corona Virus Update 16.03.2020
We are now in the second phase of the government’s response and school is being kept updates regularly by the Local Authority. As soon as we hear of any changes parents will be informed.
Below is the Government response that has published, its action plan for dealing with the virus, which involves three phases – contain; delay; mitigate – alongside ongoing research.
While the emphasis has been on the contain and research phases up until this week, the country has now moved to the “delay” phase to stop the wider spread of the virus.
As part of the delay phase, people with even mild coronavirus symptoms – defined as a temperature above 37.8 C or a “new, continuous” cough – are being asked to self-isolate at home for 14 days to protect others and help slow the spread of the disease.
The delay phase could also mean further “social distancing” measures at a later date, but Prime Minister Boris Johnson has ruled out closing schools at this stage. We will try to keep parents and carers updated should this change at any point. Key to stopping or slowing down the spread of the virus is social isolation.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Monday, that even if you have no symptoms, you should still:Stop all non-essential contact with others
Stop all unnecessary travel
Work at home where possible
Avoid pubs, clubs, theatres and other social venues
If the virus becomes even more widespread, the government may then decide to enter the third phase of mitigation, when health services are asked to focus on critical care and retired NHS staff could be asked to return to work.
So what if you or any of your family have the symptoms of the virus?
People who think they or someone in their home have coronavirus should self-isolate
If you have a “new, continuous” cough or high temperature and think you have coronavirus you are advised not to go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. Instead, you and the people you live with should self isolate for 14 days.
If symptoms persist you should contact the NHS’s dedicated 111 online coronavirus service or call 111.
