Dear Parents and Carers

We know that this is a troubling time and that many of you are feeling anxious about COVID-19. The safety and wellbeing of all children and staff at Overdale Infant School is of the utmost importance to us. We want to reassure you that we are staying up-to-date with Government and Local Authority guidance and ensuring we follow all recommended measures. 

On this page, you will find all the information we have currently shared regarding the ongoing pandemic. There are links to the current guidance and resources to support your child if they are feeling worried about the coronavirus. We are reviewing the situation constantly and taking on board any relevant Government advice.  

What is the coronavirus?

A coronavirus is a type of virus. As a group, coronaviruses are common across the world. COVID-19 is a new strain of coronavirus first identified in Wuhan City, China in January 2020.

The incubation period of COVID-19 is between 2 and 14 days. This means that if a person remains well 14 days after contact with someone with confirmed coronavirus, it is unlikely that they have been infected.

The following symptoms may develop in the 14 days after exposure to someone who has COVID-19 infection:

• cough
• difficulty in breathing
• 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 – very few cases have been reported in children.

Guidance for our children

All children have been taught how to wash their hands effectively and of the importance of doing this regularly, particularly before cooking and eating, after using the toilet and when entering school in the morning and after playtimes. Posters to remind children of how to wash their hands effectively have been put up in all of the children's toilets around the school. As always, hand sanitiser gel is also available for children to use should they wish to.

What to do if you or your child has symptoms:

People should self-isolate if they have either:

• a high temperature
• a new continuous cough

• If you live with others and you or one of them have symptoms of coronavirus, then all household members must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days. The 14-day period starts from the day when the first person in the house became ill
• It is likely that people living within a household will infect each other or be infected already. Staying at home for 14 days will greatly reduce the overall amount of infection the household could pass on to others in the community
• For anyone in the household who starts displaying symptoms, they need to stay at home for 7 days from when the symptoms appeared, regardless of what day they are on in the original 14-day isolation period. 
• If you can, move any vulnerable individuals (such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions) out of your home, to stay with friends or family for the duration of the home isolation period
• If you cannot move vulnerable people out of your home, stay away from them as much as possible
• If you have coronavirus symptoms:
• • do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital
  • you do not need to contact 111 to tell them you’re staying at home
  • testing for coronavirus is not needed if you’re staying at home
• Wash your hands regularly for 20 seconds, each time using soap and water, or use hand sanitiser

• These actions will help to prevent the spread of the virus and protect the most vulnerable members of our community.

  Please inform the school reception, either by phone or email, if your family is self-isolating and follow the NHS guidance https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-advice/

   

  School absence due to self-isolation will not be classified as unauthorised. If you decide to keep your child off, please inform the school of their absence via the usual means and explain why they are self-isolating and what medical advice you have been given if any.