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No student or staff member of a Cork high school with nearly 1,400 students has been deemed ‘close contact’ following a confirmed case of Covid-19 at the school.
A public health risk assessment carried out following a confirmed case of the virus at Coláiste Choilm in Ballincollig found that all students can continue to attend school. It is unclear if the person with Covid-19 is a staff member or a student.
In a letter from the HSE seen by the , parents were notified that no Coláiste Choilm student has been considered a close contact and that they do not need to restrict their movements.
“If your child has not been identified as a close contact at this time, your child does not need a Covid-19 test, they can continue to attend school, and no further action is required at this time,” the letter says.
Children should not be sent to school if they begin to develop Covid symptoms, including fever, cough, and loss of taste or smell, the letter added.
In a statement, Cork ETB, the school’s sponsor, confirmed that no staff member or students are required to restrict their movements or attend Covid-19 testing as they are not considered close contacts.
“The school, at all times, has followed and implemented all Department of Education and Skills and HSE guidelines.”
Fianna Fáil Cllr Colm Kelleher, who has a son who attends school, said he is satisfied that school authorities are following all relevant public health guidelines. He is reassured by the fact that no child has been considered a close contact for the confirmed case.
“As a public representative of the city and as a parent of a student who attends school, I feel comfortable sending him back to school tomorrow,” he said.
Coláiste Choilm in Ballincollig is the first high school in Cork to be notified of a confirmed case. It occurs as a result of several cases in the primary schools of Cork.
Since the schools reopened, confirmed cases have been reported to more than 50 schools across the country.
It comes as the Department of Health was notified of 357 new cases of Covid-19 tonight and three more deaths. It brings the total number of known cases here to 31,549.
More than half (about 218) of the cases occurred in Dublin, another 18 in Louth and 12 in Waterford. About nine were in Cork and eight were in Limerick and Kerry.
Dr. Ronan Glynn, Acting Medical Director, said that the basic preventions against Covid remain the same.
“Wash your hands regularly, physically away from other people, including friends and family, wear a face cover, know the symptoms and what to do if you experience them,” he said.
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