Dealing with a suspected Covid-19 case
Illness and Dealing with a Suspected Case of COVID-19
Our hope is to see all of our children at school every day. However, under the current circumstances, parents and guardians must keep children at home if they display any Covid-19 Symptoms. https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/symptoms.html
Pupils should not attend school if displaying any symptoms of Covid-19-coughing, sore throat or high temperature.
If a pupil displays symptoms of Covid-19 while in the building, the following procedures will be implemented:
• Parents/guardians will be contacted immediately.
• The child will be accompanied to the designated isolation area by a member of staff.
• A mask will be provided for the child presenting with symptoms. He/she should wear the mask if in a common area with other people or while exiting the premises.
• The school will facilitate the child to stay in isolation, if they cannot immediately go home.
• The child presenting with symptoms should be advised to cover their mouth and nose with the disposable tissue when they cough or sneeze and put the tissue in a waste bag provided.
• If the child is well enough to go home, the school will arrange for them to be transported home by a family member, as soon as possible, and advise them to inform their GP by phone of their symptoms.
• If they are too unwell to go home or advice is required, the school will contact 999 or 112 and inform them that the sick child is a Covid-19 suspect.
• Arrangements will be made for appropriate cleaning of the isolation area involved.
The HSE will inform any staff/parents who have come into close contact with a diagnosed case via the contact tracing process. The HSE will contact all relevant persons where a diagnosis of COVID-19 is made. The instructions of the HSE should be followed.
Children who should not attend school
If your child is in one of the following categories, they should not attend school:
• Children who have been diagnosed with Covid-19
• Children who have been in close contact with a person diagnosed with Covid-19
• Children who have a suspected case of Covid-19 and the outcome of the test is pending
• Children who have been in contact with a person who has a suspected case of Covid-19 and the outcome of the test is pending
• Children with underlying health conditions who have been directed by a medical professional not to attend school
• Children who have returned home after travelling abroad must self-isolate for 14 days
• Children who are generally unwell
The Special Education Team within the school will take responsibility for children who are unable to attend school due to a prolonged period of illness or for any of the above reasons
Impact of a Suspected or Confirmed Case of Covid-19 in a Class
If the school is notified that a person in your child’s class has a case of Covid-19
The parents of all children in the class will be notified.
• Public health advice will be sought and followed.
Teacher/SNA Absence and Substitution
If a teacher or SNA is unable to attend school, every effort will be made to secure a substitute.
Distance Learning
Explicit provision will be made for contingency curriculum planning in the event of an unexpected period of school closure. We will continue to build on our prior experience in the use of digital technology in a distance learning context. Seesaw will once again be considered. However, other online learning platforms may also be explored.
Wellbeing of the School Community
We will work on the recommended five principles to support the wellbeing of all our pupils and staff. These are promoting:
• A sense of safety
• A sense of calm
• A sense of belonging and connectedness to school
• A sense of self-efficacy and school-community efficacy
• A sense of hope
Hygiene and Cleaning
Sanitiser dispensers have been installed throughout the school e.g. at each entrance, in each classroom. Warm water and soap is available at every sink throughout the school. Hand hygiene will be promoted and encouraged, and parents and guardians are asked to support the school in reinforcing this message.
In accordance with the DES guidelines, the school will be thoroughly cleaned at least once per day. Particular attention will be focused on frequently touched surfaces – door handles, handrails, chairs/arm rests, communal eating areas, sink and toilet facilities
This is a working document and may require reviewing and altering depending on changing circumstances or new advice from government.
Bríd Galligan