Coronavirus Information

Information about Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) - 15th March
A coronavirus is a type of virus. As a group, coronaviruses are common across the world. COVID-19 is a new strain of coronavirus. The incubation period of COVID-19 is between 2 and 14 days. This means that if a person remains well 14 days after contact with someone with confirmed coronavirus, they have not been infected.

The following symptoms may develop in the 14 days after exposure to someone who has COVID-19 infection

• cough;
• difficulty in breathing; and/or
• fever.

Generally, these infections can cause more severe symptoms in people with weakened immune systems, such as older people and/or those with long-term conditions like diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease. There is no evidence that children are more affected than other age groups – very few cases have yet to have been reported in children.

How COVID-19 is spread?
From what we know about other coronaviruses, spread of COVID-19 is most likely to happen when there is close contact (within 2 metres) with an infected person. It is likely that the risk increases the longer someone has close contact with an infected person.

Prevention
There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to the virus. There are general principles anyone can follow to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including

• children/staff who feel unwell (or develop high temperature or a new cough) should stay at home for 7 days;
• washing your hands often - with liquid soap and water, or use alcohol sanitiser if handwashing facilities are not available. This is particularly important after taking public transport; covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throwing the tissue in a bin. Children, staff and visitors should wash their hands
  1) before leaving home;
  2) on arrival at school;
  3) after using the toilet;
  4) after breaks and sporting activities;
  5) before food preparation;
  6) before eating any food, including snacks; and
  7) before leaving school.
• avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands;
• avoid close contact with people who are unwell; 
• if you are worried about your symptoms or those of a child or colleague, please use the Coronavirus COVID-19 symptom checker on NHS Direct Wales. Do not go directly to your GP or other healthcare environment;
• see the latest information about novel coronavirus on the Public Health Wales website.

Communication
Throughout the UK Government response phases to Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) the school will work closely with relevant authorities to make decisions which are in the interests of the all members of the community. However, to support the safety, wellbeing and continued learning of the children the school asks that all families

• Ensure that the school has the correct contact details in order to maintain communication throughout the process;
• Talk to child(ren) about hygiene practices and make use of relevant sites to reduce anxiety.

We appreciate that this is a worrying time for everyone.  If you haven't already done so, we would encourage you to talk to your child/ren about Coronavirus.  BBC Newsround provides regular updates and information which may be helpful for you to discuss with your child/ren.

Useful Information
UK Government (COVID-19)
Welsh Government (COVID-19)
Public Health Wales