COVID-19 Update

8th October 2020

Update COVID-19 Advice to all students and parents/carers 08/10/20

Dear students and parents/carers,

We have been notified by Public Health of a second confirmed case of COVID-19 within the College.

Following in-depth discussions with Public Health England, we are certain in terms of timeline and symptoms that there is no risk to students and staff in the College community. The College continues to implement a pre-agreed set of actions following Department for Education, Local Authority and NHS Covid-19 requirements.

We are continuing to monitor the situation and are continuing to work closely with Public Health England. Following the precautions taken within the College we have been advised that we do not need to take any action to ask any further students or staff members to isolate. This is due to the timeframe of when the person developed symptoms and their contact within the College.

We have a number of mitigating measures around the College and across all campuses, including wearing face coverings, an extensive cleaning regime, access to hand sanitiser, antibacterial wipes and maintaining social distancing within classrooms, workshops, offices and communal areas.

We recognise that this information can be worrying, but please be reassured that for most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.

The College remains open to all other students and staff, providing you or your family members remain well, College attendance should continue as normal.

What to do if you or your family member develops symptoms of COVID–19:

If you or your family member develops symptoms of COVID-19, you should organise a test via the NHS online portal or by calling 119. Your household should isolate until you receive the test results giving the all clear. Please report student absences to us in the usual way.

Symptoms of COVID–19

The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of:

· new continuous cough and/or

· high temperature and/or

· a loss of, or change in, normal sense of taste or smell

Please remember it remains important that we all keep practising social distancing, regular handwashing, wearing a face covering and students must follow the College and national guidance to help us all remain safe and well. We must also respect privacy at this time and we would ask that you do not post anything on social media.

Yours sincerely

Laurence Frewin

Principal

South Devon College

The following COVID-19 update was sent to all students, parents/carers and staff yesterday evening (07/10/2020).

Dear students and parents/carers,

We have been advised by Public Health England that there has been a confirmed case of COVID-19 within the College.

We are we working closely with Public Health to identify those who may have been in contact with the confirmed case.

While the contact tracing is being undertaken, and as a precautionary measure, we have asked one group and 4 members of staff to remain at home until further notice. We have contacted those students and staff who are directly affected and have asked them to self-isolate and remain within their family home for the required period of time.

We recognise that this information can be worrying, but please be reassured that for most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.

The College remains open to all other students and staff and providing you or your family members remain well, College attendance should continue as normal.

What to do if you or your family member develops symptoms of COVID-19

Symptoms of COVID-19