Dear Parents and Carers,

This is an update of information we have recently received from Bristol City Council.

As you will be aware, yesterday’s update from Central Government focused on a number of key

messages in relation to self-isolation and social-distancing.

The DfE advice was also updated last night:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-educational-settings-about-covid-19

Schools and settings are to remain open for now

Here are updates regarding symptoms and advice for those with long term health conditions:

Developing symptoms

Staff, young people and children should stay at home if they are unwell with a new, continuous cough or a high temperature. They should, along with the rest of their family, self-isolate for 14 days (or 7 days if the member of staff lives alone).

Children, young people and adults (CYPA) with long-term health conditions

Those with long-term health conditions, such as diabetes, serious heart conditions, underlying neurological problems and kidney or liver disease, are at higher risk. These are the CYPA who are offered an annual flu vaccine injection. This does not include anyone that chooses to have the annual vaccine or the ones that are administered orally through the schools programme. CYPA who this applies to, are being advised to self-isolate for 16 weeks.

The list of at risk categories (for both children and adults is):

• chronic (long-term) respiratory disease, such as severe asthma, chronic obstructive
• pulmonary disease (COPD) or bronchitis
• chronic heart disease, such as heart failure a
• chronic kidney disease at stage three, four or five
• chronic liver disease
• cerebral palsy
• chronic neurological disease, such as Parkinson’s disease or motor neurone
• disease, or learning disability
• Diabetes
• splenic dysfunction or asplenia
• a weakened immune system due to disease (such as HIV/AIDS) or treatment (such as cancer treatment)
• morbidly obese (defined as BMI of 40 and above)

Families where a member has long term health conditions

A likely scenario will be that, where one member of the family is in the high risk category, the rest of the family will choose to self-isolate or increase social-distancing, to reduce the likelihood of bringing the virus into the house and putting them at greater risk.

I very much appreciate all of your support and understanding during this difficult time.

Please take care of yourselves.

Yours sincerely

Matt Condon

Headteacher