HSE coronavirus advice

Please take time to read the HSE information for schools and pre-school settings and parents of students/children on novel coronavirus nCoV-2019

HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre www.hpsc.ie V2.1 05.02.2020 1
Information for schools and pre-school settings and parents of
students/children on novel coronavirus nCoV-2019
There is an ongoing outbreak of a novel Coronavirus in China. Infections have been reported
in other countries.
The HSE HPSC is monitoring the situation and updating its website www.hpsc.ie daily.
Coronaviruses
Coronaviruses are a large group of viruses that can cause illnesses. Some of these illnesses
are very mild, like the common cold, while others are more severe, like SARS (Severe Acute
Respiratory Syndrome).
Novel coronavirus 2019-nCoV
A “novel coronavirus” means a new type of coronavirus that has never been seen in humans
before. The coronavirus recently identified in China is one of these. This new coronavirus is
being named “2019–nCoV”.
Symptoms of novel coronavirus 2019-nCoV
It can take up to 14 days from exposure to the virus for the symptoms of this 2019-nCoV to
appear. These symptoms include:
 Fever
 Cough
 Shortness of breath
Treatment of novel coronavirus 2019-nCoV
There is no specific treatment for 2019-nCoV at present. But the symptoms of the virus can
be treated.
How to protect individuals from novel coronavirus 2019-nCoV
1. Wash hands often with soap and water. Or use an alcohol based hand rub. Teach
children how to wash their hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol based
hand rub.
2. If you are coughing or sneezing, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue. Throw the
used tissue away into a closed bin, and wash your hands. If you don’t have a tissue,
cough or sneeze into your flexed (bent) elbow. Have tissues available. Teach your
children to do the same.
3. Avoid close contact with anyone who you know has cold or flu symptoms.
4. Check the travel advisories from the Department of Foreign Affairs prior to arranging
travel abroad.
Advice for pre-school settings, schools and parents v2.2 06.02.2020
HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre www.hpsc.ie 2
Advice for students/children
If the student/child;
 has not been in mainland China* in the last 14 days
AND
 has not been in contact with a person with novel coronavirus
AND
 has not attended a healthcare facility where patients with novel coronavirus are
being treated in another country
Then no specific measures are needed.
IF WITHIN THE LAST 14 DAYS;
- the student/child has been in mainland China*
OR
- has been in contact with a person diagnosed with novel coronavirus
OR
- has attended a healthcare facility in another country where patients with novel
coronavirus are being treated
If CHILD OR STUDENT IS UNWELL (fever, cough, shortness of breath)
If your child/student develops symptoms suggestive of acute respiratory
illness your student/child should:
- Stay at home
- Not go out to public places
- Not go to crèche or school
- Please phone the child’s GP or emergency department for medical
advice, rather than turning up in person
- Make sure that, when you phone, you mention your student’s/child’s
recent travel or exposure. These health services will arrange for them to
get medical help
*excluding Hong Kong and Macau
Advice for pre-school settings, schools and parents v2.2 06.02.2020
HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre www.hpsc.ie 3
IF WITHIN THE LAST 14 DAYS;
- the student/child has been in mainland China*
OR
- has been in contact with a person diagnosed with novel coronavirus
OR
- has attended a healthcare facility in another country where patients with novel
coronavirus are being treated
If CHILD OR STUDENT IS WELL (no acute respiratory symptoms)
You (parent or guardian) are asked to phone your local Department of Public
Health by phone for further advice
For children or students who have
been in mainland China* in the last
14 days and are well:
- there is no need for
quarantine (the child or
student does not need to be
kept separate from others)
- The child or student can
attend crèche or school as
normal
- Watch out for symptoms of
respiratory illness for 14
days. If your child or student
develops any respiratory
symptoms you should phone
their GP or Emergency
Department for advice. Tell
the healthcare provider what
symptoms your child or
student has and that they
have recently been in
mainland China*.
For children or students who have
been in contact with a person
diagnosed with coronavirus in China or
elsewhere, or attended a health care
facility in another country where cases
were treated
- Stay at home until parent/guardian
has contacted public health and
received advice.
*excluding Hong Kong and Macau
Advice for pre-school settings, schools and parents v2.2 06.02.2020
HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre www.hpsc.ie 4
Advice for staff, volunteers and workers in pre-schools and schools
Please see Information on novel coronavirus 2019-nCoV for people who have come to
Ireland from China, including visitors, students and workers for further information.
If staff, volunteers or workers have been in mainland China (excluding Hong Kong and
Macau) in the last 14 days, they should make contact with their local Department of Public
Health by phone for further advice.
If they remain well, no specific measures are needed in the workplace.
They will be advised by Public Health to watch out for any symptoms of novel coronavirus
for 14 days from their return. The symptoms include cough, temperature and breathing
difficulties.
For people with no symptoms, there is no need for them to stay off work or isolate
themselves. There are no restrictions regarding work or other social activities.
If they develop symptoms within 14 days of return (fever, cough, breathing difficulties),
then they should isolate themselves (stay away from other people) and contact their
GP/Doctor straight away by phone for advice. They should inform their GP/Doctor of their
recent travel history and of their symptoms.
Guidance for Ireland is based on guidance from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and
Control (ECDC) and the World Health Organization, and has been developed by the National Public
Health Outbreak Response Team.
An Expert Advisory Group, which includes experts in Public Health Medicine, Infectious Diseases,
Infection Prevention and Control and Virology has been established which provides expert scientific
advice relating to novel coronavirus, including the review of current guidance.
The ECDC has assessed that the risk of novel coronavirus infection for EU/EEA population in Europe is
currently low. Because the novel coronavirus outbreak is evolving rapidly, the risk of novel
coronavirus infection in the EU/EEA population is under continuous review by the ECDC and guidance
may change accordingly.
https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/novel-coronavirus-china