LATEST UPDATE - 10th March 2020

Please see below a letter from Dudley Council's Director of Public Health & Wellbeing regarding the confirmed case of Coronavirus in Dudley.

This is a rapidly evolving situation where information is being gathered and assessed daily by Public Health England.

Today the Department for Education have launched a new helpline to answer questions about COVID-19 related to education.  Staff, parents and young people can contact the helpline as follows:

Phone: 0800 046 8687

Email: DfE.coronavirushelpline@education.gov.uk

Opening hours: 8am to 6pm (Monday to Friday)

No school should close in response to a suspected (or confirmed) COVID-19 case unless directed to do so by Public Health England.

We know that you may have concerns or questions about the current outbreak of Coronavirus.  We want to reassure you that we are working hard to ensure everyone at our academies are safe.

Any action taken will be under the guidance of the Government. Information and guidance can be found on the Governments website below:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-information-for-the-public

We will continue to keep you updated via our websites if any new information becomes available.  Your co-operation in this matter is greatly appreciated.

Advice for parents/carers

At present, it is unlikely that you or your child will catch the Coronavirus in the Dudley borough.

How serious is the Coronavirus?

• The infection is mild for most people, including children. Older people, and people with pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, and heart disease) may be at higher risk of more serious illness.

• Most people get better with enough rest, and plenty to eat and drink.

How likely are you to catch the virus?

• The chance of being in contact with the virus is currently low in the UK.
• You can only catch it if you have been close to a person who has the virus (less than 2 metres for more than 15 minutes).
• If you and/or your child has returned from Wuhan city and Hubei Province in China, Iran, Republic of Korea including the areas of Daegu or Cheongdo, or any Northern Italian town under containment measures, you should stay at home and do not attend education or work for 14 days. Call NHS 111 for further advice.
• If you and/or your child has travelled to one of the following countries: Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Northern Italy, Japan, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand or Vietnam in the last 14 days and are unwell with flu like symptoms you should stay at home and call NHS 111.
• If the risk increases in other countries or regions, it will be updated on this website https://www.gov.uk/guidance/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-information-for-the-public

• If you haven’t been close to anyone with confirmed COVID-19 or haven’t been to any of the places above or mentioned on the government website, you are fine to carry on as normal.

What you and your children can do to stop the spread of coughs and sneezes

1. Cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing, use a tissue when possible.
2. Throw away dirty tissues promptly and carefully.
3. Clean hard surfaces (such as door handles) frequently using a normal cleaning product.
4. Most important of all, wash your hands frequently with soap and water.
5. If your child is unwell keep them at home until they are better.

For further information visit www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/.