Back to school advice issued amid high levels of flu, COVID-19 and scarlet fever

With pupils in Wales set to return to school next week following the Christmas break, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has urged parents to be on the lookout for winter illnesses. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Cases of Covid and flu are circulating in high levels across the UK. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

UKHSA say that “following simple steps” can help protect children, minimise the spread of illness in education and childcare settings and protect wider communities. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“Flu and coronavirus (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 streptococcus, also continue to be reported.” The agency said. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Professor Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Adviser at UKHSA, said: ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“It’s important to minimise the spread of infection in schools and other education and childcare settings as much as possible.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“If your child is unwell and has a fever, they should stay home from school or nursery until they feel better and the fever has resolved.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“Helping children to learn about the importance of good hand hygiene is also key, so practice regular handwashing at home with soap and warm water.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“Catching coughs and sneezes in tissues then binning them is another simple way to help stop illness from spreading.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“Adults should also try to stay home when unwell and if you do have to go out, wear a face covering. When unwell don’t visit healthcare settings or visit vulnerable people unless urgent.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“Remember that flu vaccination is still available for all eligible groups and is the best protection against the virus.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“We have seen good uptake in older age groups but vaccination among young children remains low. ” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“Flu can be very unpleasant and in some cases can lead to more serious illness.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

“Getting your child vaccinated protects them and others they come into contact with, and it’s still not too late.” ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

Eligible children include: ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

those aged 2 and 3 on 31 August 2022
all primary school-aged children
some secondary school-aged children ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​

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