3rd December 2021
Update COVID: Advice to all students 3/12/21
Dear students, parents and carers
I last emailed you on Friday 26/11/2021 with all the current Covid information and updates. This link will take you to the Covid-19 section of the college website where you will find all the information and resources you need from the College
Please see below the current and most important information.
- Face coverings
- Covid vaccination
- Covid testing – students
- Christmas testing and return to College in January 2022
- Reporting COVID-19 Cases: Latest data
1. Face coverings
From Tuesday 30th November 2021, face coverings should be worn by staff, visitors and students when moving around the College, outside of classrooms or indoor teaching areas, such as in corridors and communal areas unless they are exempt. This is temporary measure following the emergence of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in the UK.
This new measure has been introduced as a precaution to slow down the spread of the variant while more information is gathered. This variant reminds us this pandemic is far from over and that we must do all we can to keep this virus at bay.
2. Covid Vaccination
All eligible staff and students aged 12 and over are encouraged to take up the offer of the vaccine, including boosters.
Vaccines are our best defence against COVID-19. They help protect young people and adults, and benefit those around them. Vaccination makes people less likely to catch the virus and less likely to pass it on.
To book a vaccination, please visit: Book or manage a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination – NHS (www.nhs.uk).
3. Covid Testing – students
Students are asked to conduct home testing on a Wednesday and Sunday evening after 6pm. Tutors will ensure that students have a constant supply of home testing kits. Test kits can also be collected by students from the ‘Student Space’ in The Street.
Please note students should share their home test results with NHS Test & Trace as soon as they have undertaken their home test. Students must also share their results with the College via the Covid test results form, as soon as possible after a test so the College can monitor any localised ‘outbreaks’. The College will be reviewing who completes this form, as well as the results, and keeping Public Health England informed of the numbers of students conducting home tests. The SDC COVID results reporting form is now even quicker and easier for students to report their results.
We will continue to constantly review our approach, following the latest government guidance and will adapt what we do accordingly. Please do whatever you can to keep everyone safe.
4. Christmas testing and return to College in January 2022
All students are encouraged to continue with their home testing routine of twice a week during the Christmas holiday period, particularly in light of the new variant and the increased mixing with friends and family. All students must take one self-test at home either the evening or morning before they return to College in January. Home test kits for students for use over the Christmas break will be available for collection from the Student Space in The Street, and Level 1 and 3 Receptions from Monday 6th December 2021.
5. Reported COVID-19 Cases: Latest data
The table below gives the most up-to-date picture of COVID-19 infections at South Devon College in all areas.
| Weekly cases: (Total confirmed positive cases reported in the last week) | 19 |
| Total cases: (A running total of positive/presumed positive cases reported to the College by students and staff since the first case was reported on Wednesday 7th October 2020) | 368 |
Thank you for your continued positive support.
Kindest regards
Laurence Frewin
Principal and CEO
South Devon College