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Vulnerable students in class with a special needs aide (SNA) who tested positive for Covid-19 were not considered close contacts by the HSE, even though they did not wear masks.
The ANS at a Cork high school tested positive two weeks ago, but had been teaching the week before contracting the virus.
He contacted the school principal last Sunday. On Monday, the director, following the guidelines, informed the HSE of the positive case. Other members of the school staff were also informed. However, when there were no calls from the contact tracker, the director contacted the HSE again that afternoon.
The school was informed that due to adherence to social distancing and mask use guidelines, there was “zero risk of transmission.”
Even when the HSE was told that the vulnerable students in the class were not wearing masks, they were not considered to be close contacts. The SNA in question was wearing a mask.
A staff member who contacted the He said that since the students were not wearing masks and the intimate care they need, it is “not believed” that they were not considered close contacts.
“One ANS who is positive worked side by side, hand feeding and going to the bathroom, at an intimate level of care with some of these students,” said the staff member.
“Even when we told HSE they weren’t wearing masks, they said they weren’t close contacts.
“My concern is that if this is replicated, it will end in disaster. There is something wrong. I am trying to protect the most vulnerable.”
According to the guidelines, the school could not inform either parent about the positive case.
However, when it became known locally that a member of the school staff had tested positive, several parents had their children tested privately.
The staff member who contacted the He said it seems unethical for schools to be unable to inform parents of a positive case.
“How can we not tell parents that someone who works with their child has Covid? It breaks my sense of ethics,” said the staff member.
An ASTI spokesperson said: “While we did not comment on individual cases and individual schools, concerns have been raised with us regarding students who have not required masks and why the guidelines are not different regarding these students.
“We are also concerned about the extent of the contact tracing in relation to the school cases and the time required for this contact tracing.”
In a statement, the HSE said: “It is important to note that controlled school / work settings may have fewer identified close contacts due to the nature of compliance with social distancing, hand hygiene, etc. compared to contacts / social settings.
“In any case where a Covid-19 case is linked to an educational facility, public health professionals speak directly to the person or family, as appropriate, and ask about their contacts.
“Children who are not identified as a close contact do not need a test and can continue to attend school. The same goes for the staff.”
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