Staff Update - Confirmed Case of COVID-19 (Main Office)

Despite our very best endeavours to implement all possible lines of defence measures to keep everyone safe and well, most unfortunately, but perhaps not entirely unexpectedly, we have now experienced our first confirmed case of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) within the main office.

Company protocol has been followed and all those identified as being in ‘contact’ with the confirmed case have been informed and asked to self-isolate for the next 14 days in line with NHS guidance, and to get tested should they develop symptoms at any time during this period.

Whilst it is naturally upsetting to experience this so close to home, I would encourage you all to remain calm in the knowledge that we are taking all necessary steps to keep you safe and reduce any further spread of infection.

Tonight the entire office building was sanitised using a fogging process to ensure the premises are thoroughly disinfected as a further precaution in ensuring your safety on return this week, and which I hope will offer some reassurance.

One of the best measures we can implement, and in line with government directive to do so, is to strongly encourage you to work remotely as much as possible to reduce numbers in the office at any one time in order to minimise levels of contact and ultimately onward risk of infection. Numbers will be monitored throughout the week to ensure they remain within safe limits and with further measures implemented thereafter if deemed necessary.

For those who do wish to continue to attend the office, please remain vigilant and adhere to our enhanced guidelines of regular and thorough handwashing, social distancing and temperature checking upon arrival, without exception, and at all times.

A reminder of the main symptoms are:

• a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back or record a temperature above 37.8 degrees.

• a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)

• a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you've noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal

Most people with coronavirus have at least 1 of these symptoms.

If you believe you may be experiencing any of the above or have raised levels of concern caused by the current situation then please do remain at home and speak with your Line Manager, as well as informing a member of the COVID-19 taskforce immediately.

Once again please do stay alert and continue to follow company guidance at this time which is in place to safeguard you and your colleagues during these uncertain times.