Update Covid-19: Advice to all students, parents & carers – 13/11/2020
Dear students, parents, and carers
Further to my last communication to you on 6th November 2020, I would like to update you on the current COVID-19 situation in the College. A slightly longer update this week as there are several key messages that I would like to share with you all.
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: 2 (Total cases reported during the last 7 days – this gives an indication of the number of current cases) |
| Total cases: 20 (A running total of positive cases reported to the College by students and staff since the first case was reported on Wednesday 7th October 2020) |
Please remember to complete the ‘out of hours Notification of a POSITIVE COVID-19 test result’ form to alert us if you, a member of your household or other close contact identified through Track & Trace, receive a positive test result in the evening or during the weekend. The form is available on our main website.
Please note, if you are required to self-isolate because you have been told to do so by the College, the NHS App, NHS Test & Trace or a member of your household/close contact is symptomatic and then you subsequently develop COVID symptoms, please do notify your tutor immediately.
We have recently received updated guidance from the Department for Education regarding Further Education (FE) operating procedures during this period of national restriction. Key messages are as follows:
- FE colleges are to remain open and provide onsite delivery
- Face coverings must be worn when moving around the premises, outside classrooms, in corridors and communal areas (we are already doing this)
- Social distancing remains key to reducing the need for isolating students and staff if they have been in contact with a confirmed case within College
- Young people who are Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV) are advised not to attend College during this national restriction period
- Young people who live with someone who is Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV) should still attend College
- Students must follow social distancing guidelines to and from College.
- We have now launched our ‘Quick COVID Guide for students. Tutors will be sharing these guides with students
- Self-isolating students who subsequently become symptomatic, will need to inform us immediately.
Finally, I want to share with you an extract from a letter that I received from Torbay Council this week which stated:
“The actions being taken by the College and the staff team are becoming increasingly embedded and will ultimately make a difference to the onward transmission of the virus. The recent risk assessment meetings demonstrate that staff and students are also committed to these measures and trying where possible to adhere to the rules. Due to high levels of confirmed cases within the local area, we do anticipate that we will continue to see a number of cases that will impact on you. However, we have every confidence in the College to work effectively with us in our shared quest to bring the rate down”.
I hope that this letter will continue to reassure students, parent/carers, and staff that as a College we are doing everything possible to ensure the safety of our students and staff during this COVID-19 global pandemic
As promised, we will continue to issue a weekly update of the number of confirmed cases within the College. We will provide this update at 2pm on Friday afternoon each week including during College holidays.
Everything possible is being done to safely keep the College open for students and staff. The College remains open and, providing you and your family members remain well, coming to College and work can continue as normal. This is a team effort, and we ask every single student and staff member to do everything possible to keep each other safe and well.
Thank you very much for your ongoing support.
Yours sincerely,
Laurence Frewin
Principal and CEO
South Devon College