Dear ISB Community,
Further to our communications of 23rd January about novel coronavirus (linked here) and 27th January (linked here), please find an update below.
We are guided by International SOS, the World Health Organization, OSAC, the Centers for Disease Control, the Ministry of Public Health, the Ministry of Education and the Office of the Private Education Commission. We are also in frequent contact with other international schools and safety experts.
We continue to advise that children and adults pay close attention to good hygiene, wash hands thoroughly and frequently with soap and water (hand sanitizer if necessary), seek medical attention and stay away from school if unwell. We also advise parents to:
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Check your child’s temperature before they are sent to school (and if a fever is detected please keep your child at home – CDC guideline is 38 celsius or more, 100.4 fahrenheit).
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Check travel advisories prior to traveling.
We have been monitoring the evolving situation and as an added precaution we ask that families who have travelled to China to undertake a self-quarantine period of 2 weeks (14 Days) from their return date to Bangkok and not to attend school beginning tomorrow (30th January 2020). If you are in this situation, please contact your divisional principal and we will assist with home learning and other support.
FAQ – 2019-nCoV
What does the school do when students show signs of illness?
If a student has a fever or is unwell they are taken to the nurse’s office for evaluation and, if necessary, parents will be asked to take their child home. We may also advise that the child is evaluated and cleared by a doctor prior to returning to school.
Why will student trips still take place?
Currently, the only travel restrictions recommended by US Department of State and CDC are for people planning to travel to China. The ISB trips planned for China have been cancelled. We are monitoring all of the locations that our student trips will be going to and should there be any warnings or advisories, we will take proper action. We are working closely with providers and schools to ensure that appropriate measures are being taken. Student trips are a highlight of every student’s time at ISB. We want to preserve those learning opportunities and will do so only if it is safe for our children. Parents may choose not to send their child on any school trip if they are concerned.
IASAS trips have had measures put in place to ensure that our students have a chance to compete in the tournaments for which they have prepared so long. However, these measures also take into account a high regard for their health.
Some host schools and organizations in anticipation of hosting students are asking that:
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Students are checked before traveling to ensure they do not have a fever
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Students who have been in China up to 14 days prior to the trip may not travel
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Students who have been in direct contact with people who have been in affected areas up to 14 days prior to the trip may not travel
We will be in touch with parents on a trip by trip basis in the coming weeks with specifics related to each trip.
How is the school planning for the possibility of an outbreak in Thailand?
ISB has clear protocols for addressing these possibilities. As part of our Crisis Response planning, a decision matrix was developed that guides our discussions and ensures that we are addressing all aspects of a situation such as we see now with the Novel Coronavirus. Should the situation in Thailand change, we will continue to follow the guidelines of the CDC, WHO, International SOS, the MOE, OPEC, and do what is best for our students.
Where can I find reliable information about the spread of the virus?
It is always a good idea to carefully evaluate the sources of information that you follow. Please find below helpful and reliable links for the most recent information on the Coronavirus worldwide. All of the following sites update their information frequently.
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The World Health Organization’s page on the Coronavirus may be found here.
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The US Centers for Disease Control also offers straightforward, up-to-date information and may be reached at this link.
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A second link for the CDC that offers additional information on the coronavirus outbreak can be reached here.
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Travel Advisory information from the US Department of State will be found here.
What are other schools doing?
The coronavirus is an issue affecting a large number of schools across our region. We are in communication with administrators at other international schools in Bangkok and around the region, including IASAS schools in KL, Jakarta, Manila, Singapore, and Taipei.
As you will appreciate, the decisions and actions taken by other international schools and authorities are based on their geographic location, and a range of factors particular to their circumstances. Whilst we monitor what other schools and authorities are doing, the decisions and actions taken by ISB are based on the recommendations, protocols and procedures recommended by the WHO, CDC, International SOS, the Ministry of Health and other advisors.
What are the best ways to protect our children and our family?
Recommendations from International SOS include:
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To prevent any respiratory illness, pay attention to hygiene. Wash your hands frequently. Carry hand sanitiser for use when soap and water are not readily available. Avoid touching your face.
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Keep some distance from people who are obviously sick and avoid direct contact with them.
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Seek medical attention if you develop symptoms, especially fever or shortness of breath. Ensure you provide your travel history.
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Do not travel if you are sick – note that some locations have implemented screening, and travellers may face quarantine and testing.
Students, staff, and visitors may wear their own face masks and nurses can provide advice on correct use.
What additional steps is ISB taking?
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Staying in regular contact with authorities and experts
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Reminding students and community of proper hygiene practices including hand washing and cough etiquette. Advice is reinforced with the use of posters displayed around campus and education from Health Centre nurses
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Requesting that parents and staff regularly take temperatures
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Providing additional hand sanitizing gel around campus
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Newly installed positive pressure air filtration systems provide fresh filtered air into classrooms
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We are prepared for early identification and, if necessary, temporary isolation of unwell students in the Health Centre
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact any of us below.
Sincerely,
Andrew Davies – Head of School – andrewd@isb.ac.th
Mark Hevland – Director of Risk Management – markh@isb.ac.th
Debi Caskey – Deputy Head of School for Learning – debic@isb.ac.th
Usa Somboon – Headmistress usomboon@isb.ac.th