Below you will find guidance from Public Health England, which our College will implement in the instance of a student or staff COVID-19 confirmed case.
If a student is identified as a close contact of a confirmed case of COVID-19, the following guidance will come into force.
The student will be recommended to stay at home and self-isolate until a given date (10 days from the point of contact). This is to reduce the further spread of COVID-19 to others in the community. The date will be given in an email from college.
If the student is well at the end of the period of self-isolation, they can return to usual activities. A negative test does not mean they can stop self-isolation earlier than the date given in the email. Other members of the household can continue normal activities provided the student does not develop symptoms of COVID-19 within the self-isolation period. Please see the link to the PHE Staying at Home Guidance:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection
What to do if a student develop symptoms of COVID 19 while in self-isolation
If symptoms of COVID-19 are developed while in self-isolation, the student should remain at home for at least 10 days from the date when their symptoms appeared as advised in https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance
They should get tested. This can be done via https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test. It is essential that it is a PCR test (processed by a laboratory) rather that a Lateral Flow device test (home test kits which give a result within 30 minutes; these are designed for asymptomatic testing only). If the test result is positive, please inform college by emailing health@nelsongroup.ac.uk as soon as possible.
All other household members who remain well must stay at home and not leave the house for 10 days from the day when the student becomes ill.
Household members should not go to work, school, or public areas and exercise should be taken within the home.
Household members staying at home for 10 days will greatly reduce the overall amount of infection the household could pass on to others in the community.
If you are able to, move any vulnerable individuals (such as the elderly and those with underlying health conditions) out of your home, to stay with friends or family for the duration of the home isolation period.
Symptoms of COVID 19
The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of:
- New continuous cough and/or
- High temperature and/or
- A loss of, or change in, normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)
For most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness. If you do develop symptoms, you can seek advice from NHS 111 at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/check-if-you-have-coronavirus-symptoms/ or by phoning 111.
How to stop COVID-19 spreading
There are things you can do to help reduce the risk of you and anyone you live with getting ill with COVID-19.
- Wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
- Use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
- Wash your hands as soon as you get home
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
- Put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards
Up to one third of people with COVID-19 do not experience any symptoms and can pass the virus onto others without knowing. Home testing is now widely available for students, staff and families and we recommend regular testing to identify asymptomatic cases and help to break the chains of transmission.
Further information about home testing is available at https://www.nelson.ac.uk/covid-testing-scheme/
Further information
Further information is available at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
Learning from home while self-isolating
Learning will continue for students who are asked to self-isolate. This may take different forms, depending on how many are isolating and the nature of the subject and lessons. Teachers will provide additional guidance.
