Dear Parent or Carer of pupil on Bus 304,

Contact of confirmed case of COVID-19 in Year 10

NHS Wales Test, Trace, Protect trace everyone who has been in contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 (Coronavirus).

***This letter only related to pupils who travelled on the 304 school bus on Wednesday 21st, Thursday 22nd, and/or Friday 23rd October. If you child was not on the bus on these dates then no action is required.***

Your child has been identified as a contact of a confirmed case of COVID-19 and will now need to self-isolate for 14 days from 23rd October, to 6th November inclusive. By identifying contacts and asking them to self-isolate for 14 days, we will reduce the possible spread of COVID-19 from those contacts to their family, friends and the wider community. Self-isolation advice requires your child to stay at home, not to go outdoors to exercise, to visit shops, family or friends, or to other public spaces. Please do not invite people to your house. Further information on self-isolation can be found in the link at the bottom of this letter.

If your child remains well then, the other members of the household do not need to isolate and can continue with their normal activities. If your child is still well at the end of the 14-day period of self-isolation, they can return to their usual activities on Saturday 7th November 2020 and to school on Monday 9th November.

This 14-day period of self-isolation cannot be reduced by having a test. A test is only for people who develop symptoms of COVID-19.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading, there are things that everyone in your family can do to help. These include:

• washing hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
• using hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
• washing hands as soon as they get home
• covering their mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve (not their hands) when they

  cough or sneeze

• putting used tissues in the bin immediately and washing hands afterwards

Please be alert for symptoms of COVID-19 in your child, which are:

• A new or continuous cough
• A high temperature
• A loss of or change to sense of smell or taste

  If your child develops any of these symptoms, even if they are mild:

• Book a test for them by phoning 01639 862757 or 119 or through the online portal: https://www.nhs.uk/ask-for-a-coronavirus-test
• Inform Gowerton Comprehensive School that they are unwell with COVID-19 symptoms and that you have requested a test
• Your child should remain in self-isolation
• All other household members should isolate for 14 days from when your child

  developed symptoms

• Do not visit a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital but if you require medical advice please

  contact NHS 111 or telephone your GP; if there is a medical emergency phone 999

• If you require medical advice for COVID-19 symptoms or another reason, please inform the healthcare worker that your child is a contact of a case of COVID-19 and in

  self-isolation

• Please follow the advice provided when your child receives their test result

  Further formation on Test, Trace, Protect can be found here 

Further information on symptoms and self-isolation can be found here 

For general information on COVID-19 https://gov.wales/protect-yourself-others-coronavirus The COVID-19 online symptom checker can tell you if you need medical help and advise you what to do https://gov.wales/check-if-you-need-coronavirus-medical-help

As the school is closed over half term, please send any queries you may have to the school email address gowerton.school@swansea-edunet.gov.uk which is monitored daily.

Yours faithfully

Mr N Jones Headteacher