Management Information Sheet
Action to take in the event of an outbreak or incident for respiratory infection
Before COVID-19, educational settings will have noticed increases in some viruses at this time of year. As a result of COVID-19, guidance has been produced which is aimed at longstanding ways of controlling the risk of respiratory infection as follows:
- Standard respiratory infection control precautions guidance
- Standard Infection control - personal behaviours and responsibilities guidance
Going into the winter, please ensure that the baseline infection prevention and control measures are in place. Key areas to review are:
- Encouraging all staff and pupils who are poorly with symptoms of respiratory infection to not attend the setting
- Ensuring that there is adequate ventilation in occupied spaces
- Reinforcing good hand and respiratory hygiene practices
- Ensuring that cleaning and disinfection arrangements are being followed
- Ensuring that all eligible groups are enabled and supported to take up the offer of national immunisation programmes including COVID and flu.
If you suspect you have an outbreak you should double check all these measures consider if you need to notify the local Health Protection Team and whether it is appropriate to send communications to raise awareness among parents and carers and reinforce key messages including hand and respiratory hygiene.
For NCC schools and academies that purchase health and safety services, further information on the management of outbreaks can be found in P645 Infection Control Policy on HR InfoSpace.