Dear Parents and Carers,

Thank you for your ongoing support during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Unfortunately, COVID-19 case rates are increasing rapidly in Derby. As with the rest of the country most of these cases are the Delta variant which spreads much more quickly than the Alpha variant. The increase in cases is already having a significant impact on some schools and workplaces. It is too early to judge the impact on our hospitals, and we continue to monitor this closely.

Thank you for all you have done to follow the national guidance and legislation which remains in place until at least the 19th July. These are actions we must all continue to take to protect ourselves and loved ones from the COVID-19 virus.

Prevent infection

Please continue to keep your distance from those you do not live with, wash your hands regularly and continue to use face coverings where you are asked to, e.g. in shops, on the bus. The current guidelines allow up to 6 people or 2 households to meet indoors, please open the windows and let the fresh in if you do, and please consider continuing to meet outside if you can.

Limit transmission

Children of Secondary School age and older should take 2 lateral flow tests per week, this is to find cases without symptoms.

If you or anyone in your household have symptoms you must book a PCR test without delay. You and all the people you live with need to stay at home and isolate immediately. If the test is negative, you may come out of isolation. If the test is positive you must isolate for 10 days from the start of symptoms or positive test whichever is the earlier date.

Dr Robyn Dewis Director of Public Health