Dear parents,
Please read the letter below, which we have received from the Public Health Agency in relation to a positive case of COVID-19 within our school community. As per PHA guidance all those in close contact with the confirmed positive case have been notified and are now in isolation, and will remain so for the required amount of time.
We understand this is a worrying time for you all and we wish to assure you that we have followed all necessary guidance from relevant agencies and will continue to do so.
Many Thanks for your understanding and cooperation at this time,
Mrs Alexander
24/09/2020
St. Peter’s Primary School
4 Ross Road
Belfast
BT12 4JD
Dear Parent / Guardian, Health Protection Duty Room
Public Health Agency
12-22 Linenhall Street
Belfast
BT2 8BS
Website:- www.publichealth.hscni.net
RE: Confirmed COVID case in St. Peter’s Primary School
The Public Health Agency has been notified of a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the St. Peter’s Primary School community. The Public Health Agency has worked with the school principal to undertake a risk assessment to identify people who have been in close contact with the case. These individuals have been advised to stay at home and isolate.
Your child has not been identified as a close contact and therefore does not need to make any change to their usual routine, including school attendance.
The most common symptoms of 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)
If your child, or anyone in your household, develops any of these symptoms, your whole household must remain at home and not go to work, school or public areas. You should arrange testing for the person who has developed symptoms. Testing for all symptomatic individuals in Northern Ireland can be booked at www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test . When the result is known further advice will be available.
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
Further information
For further information, please see the Public Health Agency website https://www.publichealth.hscni.net/covid-19-coronavirus or contact NHS 111. If your child feels unwell and you are worried about their symptoms or about anyone else in the home, please contact your GP.
Yours sincerely,
Dr Catherine Coyle
Consultant in Public Health Medicine
