Dear Parents / Carers,
Covid Update
I hope you find this update on current guidance helpful during this period when we are all very aware of the challenge that the coronavirus is presenting us with. We will continue to be very vigilant in following our procedures. Thank you for your support at this difficult time.
Please be aware that guidance can change but that we will always aim to keep you informed of any significant changes.
What to do if your child develops symptoms of covid-19
If your child, or any of your household, develops symptoms of covid-19, a PCR test should be booked as soon as possible. Anyone with symptoms will be eligible for PCR testing.
- To arrange a test, please call the Rural Testing number 01463-706015.
- Further information on testing can be found by visiting nhsinform.scot or by calling 119.
- The whole household should isolate if anyone in the household develops symptoms.
- Please inform the school that you are arranging a test.
- Once you have received the results, please let us know as soon as possible by either phoning or emailing the school.
Please remain vigilant for symptoms during the coming weeks.
What happens when a positive case among school staff or pupils is identified
As Head Teacher, I contact the Health Protection Team and make the Argyll and Bute Education Service School Support Manager aware. A ‘Warn and Inform’ letter, provided by the Health Protection Team, is then issued to all of the parents of pupils in the relevant class.
If you do receive the ‘Warn and Inform’ letter, please be particularly vigilant because it is telling you that a pupil or member of staff in your child’s class has tested positive.
We have been advised that for primary schools, parents of children who sit next to a child who has been identified as a positive case are not notified in addition to the ‘Warn and Inform’ letter.
If further positive cases are identified, we liaise with the Health Protection Team and follow their guidance in terms of further actions and communications to parents.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of:
- new continuous cough and/or
- high temperature
- a loss of, or change in, normal sense of taste or smell
Please note that, in their ‘Warn and Inform’ letter, the Health Protection Team advise that people with COVID-19 can present with a wide range of symptoms including headache, sore muscles and joints, tiredness, sore throat, cold-like symptoms and diarrhoea and vomiting. If your child or anyone in the household does develop these symptoms, you can seek further advice from www.nhsinform.scot
Face coverings
We would like to remind you also of our request that parents and carers wear face coverings when dropping off or collecting children on the school site. Thank you for your support with this.
If you do have any questions or need any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Kind Regards
Richard Long
Head Teacher