The below text has been taken from a letter to the parents/carers of secondary aged pupils and was written by Karen Wright, the Director of Public Health and Wellbeing - to download a PDF version of the letter, please CLICK HERE.
Date: 15 October 2021
Dear parent/carer,
The number of cases of Covid-19 continue to rise across the borough, with the largest number of cases in the 10-19 age group. This is leading to a number of outbreaks in education settings.
When necessary, local authorities can introduce local measures to reduce transmission in settings and help keep students and staff safe.
Therefore, in response to an outbreak in an education setting, Dudley Public Health advise that the following measures are introduced:
1. Facemasks are worn in communal areas where social distancing cannot be maintained (this applies to both staff, students and visitors in secondary schools and colleges)
2. Any student identified as a close contact by NHS Test & Trace, Dudley Public Health (either within their education setting or household), should undertake a PCR test. Individuals should not attend the setting until the result is known. If the result is positive, they should isolate for 10 full days, in line with the guidance. If the result is negative, they can return to their setting and should undertake daily Lateral Flow Tests for 7 days after the date of the PCR test.
These measures will only be implemented in your child’s setting in conjunction with the Dudley Public Health team and for a limited period of time, if and when they are needed.
Your setting will therefore communicate further advice and guidance to you if required.
We hope that you support this guidance and work with us to help avoid further outbreaks in childcare and education settings and keep our children and young people in education.
Yours sincerely
Karen Wright
Director of Public Health and Wellbeing
