COVID-19 Update

 I am writing this letter in order to provide you with an update on the situation at school regarding COVID-19. Since Sunday, we have had three cases of COVID-19 in Year 6 which have been confirmed by PCR tests.  Although these cases are low in numbers and seem to be restricted to one class, we are aware that many of our pupils may have mixed over the weekend as well as mixing in school. With this in mind, we have implemented additional safety procedures and protocols as part of our COVID-19 Contingency Plan. The details of these measures can be found below.

 ADDITIONAL MEASURES IMPLEMENTED THIS WEEK:

• Reinstated adult use of face coverings for small, indoor, communal spaces
• Reduced the number of visitors in school
• Increased hand hygiene procedures for pupils, staff & visitors
• Increased surface hygiene procedures
• Increased respiratory hygiene procedures

 As you are aware, close contacts of positive cases are no longer required to self-isolate if they are under the age of 18 years and 6 months or if they are fully vaccinated.

However, it is strongly recommended that you should take a PCR test as soon as possible if you are identified as a close contact of a positive case. I would therefore urge anyone to take a PCR test if they are identified as a close contact, if they receive a positive LFT test result or if they display any of the COVID-19 symptoms.

 Below, you will find a reminder of the additional safety measures you could implement at home.

 RECOMMENDED SAFETY MEASURES TO BE IMPLEMENTED AT HOME:

• Regular use of LFT tests
• Frequent hand washing
• Extra vigilance in identifying the primary symptoms of COVID-19
  • New, continuous cough
  • High temperature
  • Loss or change in normal sense of taste (ageusia) or smell (anosmia)
• Often children who have tested positive have displayed the softer symptoms of COVID-19 so please be extra vigilance in identifying symptoms, such as headaches, fatigue and tummy upsets, including vomiting & diarrhoea
• Inform school as soon as possible of any positive LFT or PCR test results
• Take a PCR test if you, your child or members of your household:
  • Are identified as a close contact
  • Receive a positive LFT test result
  • Display any of the COVID-19 symptoms

 I would like to thank all parents and carers who have tested their children swiftly when advised and requested recently. Being able to act on this information has enabled school to implement additional safety measures quickly and has undoubtedly helped to keep our All Saints’ family as safe as possible.

 I would also like to pass on my very best wishes to the children and staff who have tested positive. I hope they have a speedy recovery and I hope to see them back in school very soon. I will of course be monitoring this situation closely and I will keep all parents updated regularly should the situation change.

 Best wishes

Sarah Partington