Coronavirus

Experts at Public Health England (PHE) continue to work hard tracing patient contacts from the UK cases. Should a school pupil or staff member be identified as a contact of a confirmed case they will be asked to self isolate by PHE. We are advised that in these cases there would not be a need for a school to close or take further action and everyone else can continue to go about their daily routine, e.g. going to work or school as they would normally.

The student or staff member will be given specific advice from PHE. To discuss specific concerns with PHE, below are the contact details for the Kent health protection team:

In hours: 0344 225 3861 (option 1)
Out of hours: 0844 967 0085
Email: KPU-Kent@phe.gov.uk

Area Education Officers should also continue to be kept fully informed of school specific circumstances, as they would be for any school incident or emergency. You may find that the KCC 'Emergency Planning in Kent Schools 2020-21' guidance will provide more information about how to maintain business continuity.

The ‘Emergency Planning for Kent Schools 2020-21’ guide has not yet been updated with Covid 19 advice. However, the Covid 19 virus behaves similarly to the Influenza virus and the advice on how to manage a flu outbreak in schools appears to be the same as that for Covid 19. It would therefore be prudent for all schools to consult the Influenza section of the guide and assess what precautionary measures they could introduce, should the virus take hold in UK.

For any general health queries people should call NHS 111.

For any education safeguarding concerns, please contact the Education Safeguarding Service.

We ask that you share the generic hand hygiene messaging among your school community. This is the ‘Catch it, Bin it, Kill it’ messaging which is vital to help prevent the spread of any virus. Please also display the posters where appropriate.

Mental health charities such as the Mental Health Foundation are working with the Public Health England and the Department of Health and Social Care to provide support to address the mental health and psychosocial aspects of the Coronavirus outbreak.

They are advising people on the language to use including guidance on how to talk to children about this. They say:

“Involving our family and children in our plans for good health is essential. We need be alert to and ask children what they have heard about the outbreak and support them, without causing them alarm.

We need to minimise the negative impact it has on our children and explain the facts to them. Discuss the news with them but try and avoid over-exposure to coverage of the virus. Be as truthful as possible.”

More information at the Mental Health website