UPDATE: 8 MARCH 2020

The lockdown areas in Italy have now been extended to:

Lombardy region (which includes the cities of Milan, Bergamo, Como) and the provinces of Modena, Parma, Piacenza, Reggio Emilia and Rimini (all in Emilia Romagna); Pesaro e Urbino (in Marche); Alessandria, Asti, Novara, Verbano-Cusio-Ossola and Vercelli (all in Piemonte); Padova. Treviso and Venice (in Veneto)

ORIGINAL NEWS STORY:

The government is closely monitoring the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) and is taking action at home and abroad. The risk to individuals remains low. However, we understand that people may be concerned where there are children, students or staff returning from specific areas affected by Coronavirus.

Yesterday, the Chief Medical Advisor for England updated advice for travellers returning to the UK from specific areas affected by Coronavirus, which you can find at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-information-for-the-public

If you have returned from the following specific areas since 19 February, you should call NHS 111 and stay indoors and avoid contact with other people even if you do not have symptoms:

• Iran
• Specific lockdown areas in Northern Italy (Bertonico, Casalpusterlengo, Castelgerundo, Castiglione D'Adda, Codogno, Fombio, Maleo, San Fiorano, Somaglia, Terranova dei Passerini, and Vo)
• Special care zones in South Korea
• Hubei province

If you have returned from the following areas since 19 February and develop symptoms, however mild, you should stay indoors at home and avoid contact with other people immediately and call NHS 111:

• Northern Italy (defined by a line above, and not including, Pisa, Florence and Rimini)
• Vietnam
• Cambodia
• Laos
• Myanmar

If you have a cough, or fever or shortness of breath and have visited any of the following areas in the last 14 days, stay indoors and call NHS 111 informing them of your recent travel:

• China, apart from Hubei province
• Thailand
• Japan
• Republic of Korea, apart from special care zones
• Hong Kong
• Taiwan
• Singapore
• Malaysia
• Macau

If you have travelled anywhere else, there is no need to avoid normal activities or school unless you have had contact with a confirmed case. Anyone who has had close contact with a confirmed case should contact NHS 111 for further advice. Based on current evidence, novel coronavirus (COVID-19) presents with flu-like symptoms including a fever, a cough, or difficulty breathing. The virus can cause more severe symptoms in those with weakened immune systems. However, there is no evidence that children are more affected than other age groups.

To prevent the spread of infection make sure you and your children follow these general principles to prevent spreading any respiratory virus:

• Wash your hands often – with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or an alcohol-based sanitiser if soap and water aren’t available
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in a bin
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces in the home
• If you’re worried about your symptoms, please call NHS 111 – don’t go directly to your GP or other healthcare environment.

Please be reassured we continue to keep the school clean to prevent the spread of any virus and we are encouraging pupils and staff to follow the general principles stated above. I must reassure you that we currently have no concerns here at school. We are regularly checking guidance from the Department of Education and Public Health and will update you if necessary.