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THE threat that Covid-19 poses to Christmas celebrations was brought home last night, as nearly 400 children and teachers were told to restrict their movements until December 30.
With just under a week to go until most schools break their holidays, Ireland has experienced its first major outbreak of the virus in an educational setting.
Health officials have ordered all students and staff at a school in Education Minister Norma Foley’s constituency to be tested for Covid. They have also been told to stay home for two weeks, including Christmas Day.
Development is likely to be closely watched by school principals and parents across the country.
In recent days, the Department of Education has resisted attempts by several schools to close to reduce the risk of infection before the holidays next week.
So far a total of 17 cases have been detected in Scoil Mhuire Killorglin, a coeducational elementary school of 386 students who have registered so far “and contact tracing is ongoing” according to the HSE.
Local TD Michael Healy Rae said this incident should act as a wake-up call.
“It shows us how careful we have to be. This will make us cheer up and realize that things are not normal, ”he told the Irish Independent.
In a letter to parents, the Department of Public Health said that “so far it has been rare to see an outbreak of this scale among the school population” in Ireland.
The school management had implemented and continued to implement the appropriate Covid control measures. And the cases and close contacts have been isolated.
“After a more in-depth review today, based on current evidence, the decision was made to extend testing to the rest of the school population (children and staff),” the letter says.
Any child who has not previously been identified as a case or a close contact is advised to restrict their movements until Wednesday, December 30, ”the letter warns. The children are being referred for two tests, several days apart, by the HSE.
Restricted movement means “the child does not go to school,” the letter says.
They should also stay away from older people and not have home visitors.
In a statement last night, the HSE confirmed that parents of children at a school in the south of the country have been told that their children should not attend school, a decision made after a “public health risk assessment of the school”.
The spokesperson confirmed that both staff and students have been asked to restrict their movements until December 30.
The spokesperson said that when a case of coronavirus is identified, public health becomes involved in contact tracing.
“Public health professionals will also discuss the matter directly with the educational center if they deem it necessary, conducting a public health risk assessment. Recommended actions, including bulk testing and any exclusions of other students or staff members, or closings are in place at this time. The answers and recommendations for each facility may differ, depending on the circumstances identified by public health ”.
Meanwhile, in a statement, the Department of Education said it does not comment on individual cases.
He said that according to public health guidelines, when a case is identified in a school, contact is made with the school and a risk assessment is carried out, which “takes into account all the evidence in relation to the particular circumstances of the school and the advice provided are based on this. “
The school must follow public health advice and close if necessary. “While the Department understands that schools and principals have been working tirelessly in these unprecedented times, it is important that public health advice and expertise guide decisions about closure and other actions schools must take,” the spokesman said.
“Schools will close for Christmas holidays on Tuesday, December 22 and will remain closed until January 6.”
Elsewhere, Claremorris Boys National School in May had 16 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the past three weeks.
However, as Principal Mark Loftus and the board of directors decided to close the school and switch to online learning last Friday, the Department of Education reversed the decision and ordered the school to remain open.
Meanwhile, a special Cabinet meeting has been scheduled for December 29 in light of the increasing number of coronavirus cases.
Online editors
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