Coronavirus is still circulating in Powys

With some pupils returning to school next week Powys parents are being urged to be on their guard for Coronavirus and keep unwell children at home.

All Powys pupils were due to return to school on Monday (November 2) after a two-week half-term break, but the introduction of Welsh Government’s national Firebreak restrictions mean that some will continue to study at home.

Primary and special schools will reopen as normal with secondary school years seven, eight and vulnerable children returning. Pupils will be able to attend schools for exams, but pupils in Years 9 and above will have to continue their learning from home for a week.

Cabinet Member for Education, Councillor Phyl Davies said: “With some pupils able to return to school it is vital that we do all that we can to prevent the spread of the virus. I urge families to help and ensure that those who are unwell and show any symptoms stay at home and follow medical advice. We need to do all that we can to prevent a further rise in coronavirus cases. “

“It is important for all of us to remember that Coronavirus is still a very real threat to public health and the best way to stop the chain of infection is to come into contact with fewer people. This is particularly important with the Welsh Government’s national Firebreak restrictions continuing until 9 November.”

The main symptoms of coronavirus are:

• a high temperature: this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)

• a new, continuous cough: this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)

• a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste: this means you’ve noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal.

Most people with coronavirus have at least one of these symptoms.

If you have any symptoms, ensure that you and your immediate household self-isolate immediately. Visit https://gov.wales/apply-coronavirus-covid-19-test or call 119 to book a test.

We can all help to reduce the spread of coronavirus:

• Stay at home

• Wash your hands regularly.

• Keep a social distance from others.

• Do not meet anyone you do not live with

• Wear a face covering in shops, in indoor public spaces and on public transport unless there is a reasonable excuse not to do so

• Work from home if you can.

“We all share a personal responsibility to controlling the spread of the virus. The situation can change very quickly. By following Welsh Government guidance, we can help keep Powys safe.”

Our Test Trace Protect team here in Powys is working tirelessly to ensure that positive cases are contact traced, and that symptomatic contacts are offered testing. If you are identified as a confirmed contact, our Powys contact tracing team will call you from 02921 961133.

If you are called by a contact tracer, please help them in their vital work to Keep Powys Safe.