The Public Health Agency (PHA) has updated its COVID-19 advice in line with the rest of the UK in light of new cases emerging in several countries.  At this school we will continue to be vigilant of any child who has recently returned from a holiday and is presenting symptoms such as a cough, fever or difficulty breathing

The Public Health have advised schools of the following:

For suspected virus

Any child or staff who returns to school and has travelled to Northern Italy (not including, Pisa, Florence and Rimini), Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar since 19 February 2020; or China, Thailand, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Macau in the last 14 days and is presenting symptoms of a have cough, fever, or difficulty breathing, should follow the following guidelines.

People who become unwell should be advised NOT to go to their GP, pharmacy, urgent care centre or a hospital but to telephone their GP, or 999 if an emergency (i.e. if they are seriously ill or injured or your life is at risk), and explain which country they have returned from in the last 14 days. You can do this on their behalf if this is easier.

We will encourage children to tell their teacher or a member of staff if they feel unwell.

For those who have been in contact with a CONFIRMED virus case

Even though you do not have any symptoms, the public health advice is to stay at home (called self-isolation) for 14 days following contact with a confirmed case, in order to limit potential spread of novel coronavirus to others.

If a case of COVID-19 (PUPIL, student or staff) is suspected in our school, the advice from Public Health says there are no restrictions or special control measures required while laboratory test results for COVID-19 are awaited. There is no need to close the setting or send pupils or staff home. Therefore, until the outcome of test results is known there is no action to be taken. People who test negative for COVID-19 will be advised individually about return to school.

Further advice, please visit https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/news/covid-19-coronavirus.