AND ISLE OF WIGHT SALIVA TESTING PROGRAMME June 2021 Latest news from across the programme THE PROGRAMME IN NUMBERS In recent weeks we have welcomed more new schools to the programme. They are; Henry Tynedale School in Farnborough, in Stubbington, Hollywater School in Bordon, The Loddon Number of education School in Hook and Prospect School in Havant. We hope you find the test simple, convenient and settings involved reassuring in helping to keep your school community safer. 13

59% % Participation for Staff Students from Cantell School have helped create a film to help urge young people to continue to follow hands-face-space guidance. With % Participation for Students 36% restrictions being gradually lifted, the film co-created with SouthPoint Films shows how young people can play 2.8 Volume of saliva (2mls) their part in preventing the spread of litres from staff and students new variants. It was one of a number tested in the past week of films created using funding from City Council. Watch the video here

There is a large team of people, all working to deliver the Saliva Testing Programme in your We hear a lot about variants of the COVID-19 virus, but where do they come from and why are we worried about them? schools and colleges. Each When a virus infects someone, it makes lots and lots of copies of itself to increase the number of virus week, we will introduce particles present. Every time a virus copies itself, mistakes can be made in the virus's DNA - these are called you to a different member mutations. These happen very frequently and most of the time, a mutation doesn't make any changes to of the team who works how the virus works. However, sometimes, a mutation can give the virus an advantage, it could: behind the scenes. make it more infectious help it escape the antibodies This week we would like produced by a vaccine ALPHA BETA GAMMA DELTA you to meet Rachel Gagen (B.1.117) (B.1.351) (P.1) (B.1.617.2) make the symptoms more severe who is one of the school These different versions of the virus are engagement officers. called variants, and the variants that give Rachel is part of the the virus an advantage are called team that keeps schools and 'Variants of Concern'.There have been a colleges in touch with the project number of them discovered over the past and has worked as part of the year. They were being named after the location where they were first identified, First detected in First detected in First detected in First detected in the India. team that has designed all the resources to but are now being named by letters in the UK (Kent), was the South Africa. the Brazil. Some Seems to spread more support our Primary participants. the most common Some vaccines vaccines may not easily, some vaccines may the greek alphabet, so no stigma is variant in UK since may not be as be as effective not be as effective. Watch her video here attached to a place. December 2020 effective against it against it Becoming the most Knowing how these variants can occur and how they could slow the common variant in UK easing of restrictions, shows us just how vital testing remains. Over recent weeks, we have seen cases rise, with higher numbers being seen in schools, as young people are not yet being offered the vaccine. Being able to identify where cases are and break the spread All of the programme's SEND resources are now of the virus is one of the most important things that we can all do. So, available in the Parents and Carers Section of the please encourage your children, your students and your friends to all website. The resources are free, available to download remember to test every week. This will help our communities stay safe and our young people in school/college. and use at home to support taking the Saliva Test. Please speak to a member of staff at your school for We can all play our small part and further information Click here to access the resources:

VIEW FROM THE REGION Data is from the national government website, as at 4th June 2021 Hampshire: Southampton: Portsmouth: Isle of Wight: 64,577 total cases 15,056 total cases 14,515 total cases 6,866 total cases 214 new cases in last 7 days 32 new cases in last 7 days 57 new cases in last 7 days 20 new cases in last 7 days Trend: Upwards Trend: Downwards Trend: Upwards Trend: Upwards Go to our website to contact the support team via webchat or you can use the freephone number: 0808 1962282. Hours this week are 8.30am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday. #BEPARTOFTHESOLUTION