This Outbreak Management Plan documents the steps to be taken to manage cases of Covid-19 in the school. This is the latest review, which contains details of recommended responses to the Omicron variant.
• Children and staff should continue to wash hands or use hand sanitiser when entering rooms.
• All members of staff are strongly advised to take two vaccinations and a booster to protect themselves from infection.
• Mask wearing is strongly advised for members of staff in all communal spaces (corridors) and certainly when meeting parents.
• In-person staff meetings will be forward facing and socially distanced whenever possible.
• All rooms need to continue to be well-ventilated. The levels of C02 can be measured using our C02 monitors, ventilation should be adjusted in response to the meter readings.
• All members of staff need to continue to undertake a LFT twice a week and report the results to the school office.
• Access to the site for visitors and parents will continue to be restricted, eg our previous arrangement of having virtual parent consultations will continue and we will delay the return of school events parents can attend until local infection rates reduce.
• All visitors to the school will be asked to undertake a LFT before entry.
• If a child or employee has any or all of the following Covid symptoms he/she should self-isolate and arrange to take a PCR test immediately: a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, a loss or change to sense of smell or taste. The individual should respond accordingly to the instructions from the NHS once the results have been received.
Close contacts with positive cases:
• If a child or employee has been in close contact with a positive case, he/she should be watchful for symptoms of infection, however isolation is not necessary for children or employees who have had two vaccinations. If symptoms develop, he/she should arrange to take a PCR test immediately.
• Members of staff who have been fully vaccinated and children over 5 should immediately take a LFT to test for infection
• A close contact member of staff who is not fully vaccinated should self-isolate for 10 days from the day they came into contact with the positive case
• If an employee records a positive LFT result, he/she should isolate and arrange to have a confirmatory PCR test. The individual should respond accordingly to the instructions from the NHS once the results have been received.
• Any positive cases will be expected to self-isolate in line with the guidance issued by NHS, close contacts are not required to isolate unless showing symptoms, in which case they should arrange to undertake a test immediately. A further response will depend on the results.
• A negative LFT result means the member of staff or pupil can return to the workplace but should continue to take LFT tests for the next 7 days, to check for later infection
• Parents are reminded to limit close contact with people from other households.
DfE Thresholds for extra controls (confirmed on 18/8/21):
a) if five pupils and at least one member of staff likely to have mixed closely test positive for Covid within a 10-day period
or
b) if 10 per cent of pupils and at least one member of staff who are likely to have mixed closely test positive within 10 days
If one of the Thresholds has been passed the school will seek public health advice on next steps. The following procedures will be actioned:
1. Communication of OMP
News of positive cases will be shared with colleagues on School Ping and any necessary actions to be taken in response. Parents will also be informed on School Ping. Pupils will be informed by their class teachers. Governors will be sent a summary report at the regular meetings. The Headteacher will keep the Chairman of Governors informed of developments each week.
2. Current Risk Assessment
If cases warrant it, we will revert to the precautions detailed in the V10 RA as fast as possible, which have so far been very effective in reducing transmission within the school. This will be the school’s response to outbreaks in the school, where infections are confirmed in pupils and/or members of staff and numbers are increasing.
3. Reversion to normal conditions following an outbreak
The management of the school will revert to the September arrangements, as outlined above, once infection rates in the school and local community have returned to safe levels. Decisions will be influenced by LA advice and information from the NHS/DfE.
Comments
Post a Comment