Return to School: Winter Bugs

Published: 5 January 2023

Frozen Bubble

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reports that flu and COVID-19 are currently circulating at high levels and are likely to continue to increase in coming weeks. High numbers of scarlet fever, which is caused by group A strep, also continue to be reported. If you need advice on illness in your education setting, you can contact cct@derby.gov.uk to be signposted to the relevant support. If you have an outbreak of illness that is higher than you would expect, rapidly increasing, evidence of more severe illness, or several illnesses circulating at the same time, please contact the UKHSA on 03442254524

Please continue to practice good hygiene by:

Cleaning your setting regularly
Keeping a flow of fresh air
Encouraging children and staff to use a tissue when sneezing or coughing
Encouraging children and staff to wash their hands regularly (including after sneezing or coughing)

Children and staff who are unwell and have a fever, or do not feel well enough to continue with their usual activities should stay at home. Free flu vaccination is still available for eligible groups, including 2 and 3 year olds, primary aged children and some secondary-aged children. There is more information on eligibility here. Children that have missed out on the flu vaccine offer at school can arrange a catch-up appointment by contacting 01283 707178 or DCHST.immunisation@nhs.net.

Press Release from UKHSA can be found at www.gov.uk/government/news/back-to-school-advice-issued-amid-high-levels-of-flu-covid-19-and-scarlet-fever