9th October 2020
Dear students and parents/carers,
As you may be aware, there are currently now three confirmed COVID-19 cases within the College.
We are we working closely with Public Health and Torbay Council to undertake thorough risk assessments and have identified those who may have been in contact with the confirmed cases. We have already contacted those students and / or their parents / carers who are directly affected and have asked them to self-isolate and remain within their family home for the required period of time.
This will continue to be the case in the future, with only those students or staff directly at risk or affected being formally contacted by the College.
From today, we will not be issuing a letter to the College community each time there is a confirmed case. If you are identified as a close contact, potentially at risk and directly affected, you will receive further advice and guidance on what you need to do. If you or your family member have not heard from the College that you are a close contact, then attendance at College should continue as normal.
As you will know, 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. The systems we have in place will help identify close contacts of the confirmed case.
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.
What to do if you or one of your family members receive a positive COVID-19 test result:
If you need to report that you or one of your family members have received a positive Covid-19 test result, you must report this immediately by telephone to the College via our main switchboard on 08000 380 123 OR, outside of normal working hours, you must immediately report using the form which you can access via this LINK or which can be found on the Covid-19 pages of our website https://www.southdevon.ac.uk/update-on-coronavirus-covid-19/covid-19-testing-advice-for-schools-parents. This will alert the College without delay.
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 keep practising social distancing, regular handwashing, wearing a face covering and follow the College guidance to help us remain safe and well.
We ask that you do not speculate about or contact any possible or confirmed Covid-19 cases and that you do not post anything on social media. It is vital to respect the privacy of individuals and their families during what will be an already very difficult and worrying time for everyone.
Thank you for your continued support and co-operation in keeping our College safe and open.
Yours sincerely
Laurence Frewin
Principal
South Devon College