Local Authority Guidance on illness

Good morning,

As pupils return to school following the holidays, please be mindful that winter illnesses continue to circulate at high levels which include COVID-19, flu, and scarlet fever.

To minimise spread of infection in schools, the Local Authority has reissued the guidance to remind parents that if their child is unwell and they have a fever, they should stay home from school until they feel better, and the fever has resolved.

Specific guidance related to other illnesses can also be found below.

Please continue to promote the importance of hand hygiene, cough etiquette and the flu vaccine for eligible groups.

Guidance for:

Respiratory infections including coronavirus (COVID-19):

• Individuals should not attend if they have a high temperature and are unwell.

• Individuals who have a positive test result for COVID-19 should follow the national guidance

• Individuals with mild symptoms such as runny nose, and headache who are otherwise well can continue to attend their setting.

Diarrhoea and vomiting:

• Individuals can return 48 hours after diarrhoea and vomiting have stopped.

• If a particular cause of the diarrhoea and vomiting is identified, there may be additional advice, for example E. coli STEC and hep A.

Flu (influenza) or influenza like illness:

• Individuals can return to school once they no longer have a high temperature and feel well enough to attend

Scarlet fever:

• Stay at home until 24 hours after starting antibiotic treatment

• A person is infectious for 2 to 3 weeks if antibiotics are not administered

We also ask that parents or carers continue to inform school of a diagnosis of any infectious disease as soon as possible by contacting the main school office on 01902558820.