Child tests positive for coronavirus at school on Irish border as urgent letter sent to parents

A child tested positive for coronavirus at a school on the border with Ireland.

Jonesborough Elementary School yesterday sent an urgent letter to parents informing them of the Covid-19 infection.

The school is based in Co Armagh, a few meters from the border near Co Louth.

Principal Donal Keenan said that any student who was in close contact with the positive case will be contacted by the Northern Ireland Public Health Agency.

All children in the one-year-old group will also be required to isolate themselves for two weeks.

The affected classroom has been closed for a deep cleaning, but all other areas of the school continue as normal.

Mr. Keenan wrote: “I have sought the most up-to-date advice from the Public Health Agency (PHA) and would like to assure you that I follow their advice at every stage.

“If your child may have been very close to the positive case last Friday, your details have been passed on to the PHA, who will be in touch with you shortly to provide the latest advice on what to do next. All children [in the year group] You will be asked to isolate yourself for 14 days from the last contact date (at school, Friday, August 28).

“If the PHA does not contact you, then your child was not in close contact with the positive case and your child is free to return to school.

“At this stage, the classroom has been closed and will undergo improved cleaning in the coming days. All other areas around the school are not affected.

“I appreciate the concerns of parents, students, and the wider school community and wish to assure them that all precautions have been taken.

“Ensuring the safety of students and staff is my top priority and I will continue to monitor this situation carefully and keep you informed.”