Coronavirus - Advice and Guidance

A coronavirus is a type of virus that causes respiratory tract infections, such as colds and pneumonia. Although coronaviruses usually cause mild symptoms, they can (on rare occasions) cause life-threatening breathing difficulties and death. 

The symptoms of coronavirus are:

• Cough
   
• High temperature
   
• Shortness of breath

• A loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell.

But these symptoms are similar to other illnesses, such as cold and flu.

• A high temperature – you feel hot to touch on your chest or back a new, continuous cough – this means you've started coughing repeatedly, or a loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell.

• 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.

• Anyone with symptoms should stay at home for at least 7 days.
   
• If you live with other people, they should stay at home for at least 14 days, to avoid spreading the infection outside the home.
   
• After 14 days, anyone you live with who does not have symptoms can return to their normal routine.
  But, if anyone in your home gets symptoms, they should stay at home for 7 days from the day their symptoms start. Even if it means they're at home for longer than 14 days.

Information:

• If you live with someone who is 70 or over, has a long-term condition, is pregnant or has a weakened immune system, try to find somewhere else for them to stay for 14 days.
• If you have to stay at home together, try to keep away from each other as much as possible.
• After 7 days, if you no longer have a high temperature you can return to your normal routine.
• If you still have a high temperature, stay at home until your temperature returns to normal.
• If you still have a cough after 7 days, but your temperature is normal, you do not need to continue staying at home. A cough can last for several weeks after the infection has gone.
  
  Tips for staying at home

The best way to prevent infection and spread of viruses is by practicing good hand hygiene and following the usual recommended actions to prevent the spread of respiratory infections.

• Wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water is not available, you can use an alcohol based hand gel (view videos below).
• Always wash your hands when you get home or into work. Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze, or cough/sneeze into the crease of your elbow.
• Put used tissues in the bin straight away and wash your hands afterwards.
• Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell.

Don't 
Touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean.

How to wash your hands 

You should continue to follow the Stay at Home Advice and Guidance for Households Information. 

If you are well enough, continue to study and teach at home via Microsoft Teams. We believe that strong links between home and college is crucial to your child’s education. We would like to draw your attention to the online platforms that you have access to at home. The logins for these have been provided.

Having a routine can be really helpful. You might like to adapt the below example schedule for your family:

Please download our Daily Routine Calendar to help support you with planning your day to day routines. We also have a Top Tips poster to help to keep you positive while you study at home. 

Daily Routine Calendar

Top Tips - Studying at Home

Following the return to college for all students from Monday 8th March, we have started administering the lateral flow tests to all those who have returned their signed consent forms. Along with the other protective measures we are taking, these tests will help staff and students to remain in college safely.

In preparation for a safe return to college for our students, we have set up Asymptomatic Test Sites (ATS) on site for the start of the autumn term. With the assistance of our trained staff, students will undertake two Lateral Flow tests on site, spaced 3 to 4 days apart (therefore operating a staggered start for students). This will help to identify cases of COVID-19 and prevent transmission to support a safe return to college. If you have not already provided us with consent, please click on the link to fill out the firm at your earliest convenience https://trhat.co.uk/letter-covidlateraltest/.

In addition to these precautionary measures, although not mandatory, students will still be encouraged to continue wearing face masks, maintain social distancing and perform regular handwashing throughout the day. The Trust is are also anticipating the provision of the new carbon dioxide monitors launched by the government. The programme will provide sufficient monitors to take readings from across indoor spaces within the Colleges to allow staff to identify where ventilation needs to be improved and let fresh air in, removing air that contains virus particles and reducing the transmission of COVID-19.

The ATS programme is only for individuals with no symptoms and it is crucial that students do not come into college if they are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms.

"Over the last couple of weeks, as many schools in the borough have opened their doors to increasing numbers of pupils and parents, it is a really important time to remind everyone how vital it is for the whole school community to continue following social distancing measures when travelling to and from school.

We want to provide information for parents and carers to remind them and outline advice on safe social distancing and travel practices on their way to school."

Travelling Back to School

STARS Team