Dear All,

My name is Matt Brown and I am one of the Directors at Dunbar Education.

The health and wellbeing of pupils and staff is a priority for us and as such, we want to ensure our staff are aware of all the latest guidance, where you can access further information and in what circumstances you need to contact us about the virus.  



Information about the virus

COVID-19 is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It’s caused by a virus called corona virus. The incubation period of COVID-19 is between 2 and 14 days. This means that if a person remains well 14 days after contact with someone with confirmed coronavirus, it is unlikely that they have been infected.

The symptoms of coronavirus are:

• a cough
• a high temperature, and
• shortness of breath

However, if you have these symptoms it does not necessarily mean you have the illness. The symptoms are similar to other illnesses that are much more common, such as cold and flu.

Self-isolation rules

People who are waiting for a COVID-19 test result and people who are identified as being a close contact of someone with coronavirus must self-isolate, which means staying indoors and avoiding contact with other people.

Current advice from Public Health England also states that if you have returned from a:

• Category 1 country/area within the last 14 days, you must self-isolate for 14 days after you return, or
• Category 2 country/area within the last 14 days, you are advised to self-isolate if you develop symptoms.

The .Gov website provides up-to-date information on Category 1 and 2 countries/areas.

As of 13 March 2020, anyone with a high temperature or continuous cough is also being advised to stay at home for 7 days.

What to do if you have symptoms

• High temperature or continuous cough

Stay at home for 7 days if you have either:

• a high temperature, or
• a new continuous cough

This will help to protect others in your community while you are infectious. Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. You do not need to contact NHS 111 to tell them you’re staying at home. The NHS will not be testing people who are self-isolating with mild symptoms.

Use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service if:

• you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home
• your condition gets worse, or
• your symptoms do not get better after 7 days.

Only call 111 if you cannot get help online.

• Cough, high temperature and shortness of breath

If you have the following symptom, please follow the guidance below:

• a cough
• a high temperature, and
• shortness of breath

You should immediately stay indoors and seek medical advice by calling the NHS 111 service, or 999 in an emergency (if you are seriously ill or injured or your life is at risk), and, if appropriate, explain which country you have returned from in the last 14 days. People are advised not to go to your GP, pharmacy, urgent care centre or a hospital.


The spread of COVID-19 is most likely to happen when there is close contact (within 2 metres) with an infected person. These are some of the things you can do to help stop viruses like coronavirus spreading:



DO
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.

Wash your hands with soap and water often – use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.
Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell.
 
DON’T
Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean.

You need to get in get in touch with your branch consultant immediately if you:

• are waiting for a COVID-19 test result
• have been identified as being in close contact of someone with coronavirus
• have visited a Category 1 or 2 country/area in the last 14 days, or have plans to visit a Category 1 or 2 country/area, or
• you have a continuous cough or high temperature

Further information

You can keep up-to-date with all the latest information and guidance relating to coronavirus on the following websites:

• .Gov – please also see the guidance for educational settings and social or community care and residential settings
• NHS

What should I do if a school has sent everyone home because a member of staff or pupil is being tested for coronavirus?

Get in touch with your consultant and let them know what’s happened. They will then make contact with the school to make sure we are kept up-to-date with any developments. Current guidance states that you have to self-isolate if you have been identified as being a close contact of someone with coronavirus, so no action is needed unless the result is confirmed positive.
 
Will I get paid if schools close to reduce the risk of infection?

If you are a supply worker who works on daily and short-term bookings, unfortunately you will not be entitled to receive any pay if the schools are closed as there will be no work available.
If you are working through Dunbar Education Group in a long-term supply booking and the school you are placed in closes, it is at the school’s discretion whether or not to pay for those days. Please discuss this with your consultant and we will advise as best we can.
 
Should I contact the office if I have any coronavirus symptoms?

You should contact your consultant immediately if you have any of the following symptoms:

• a continuous cough, or
• high temperature, or
• a cough, high temperature and shortness of breath.

Please remember, you also need to get in touch with your consultant if you have been to a Category 1 or 2 country/area in the last 14 days, or if you have any plans to visit a Category 1 or 2 country/area, if you are waiting for a COVID-19 test result or you have been identified as being a close contact of someone with coronavirus.

 We wish everyone good health during what will be a testing time for all, and if you need to discuss anything further then please do get in touch with myself, or your consultant at any point.
 
Many Thanks,

Matt