[ad_1]
Students who don’t wear masks in a class with a special needs aide (SNA) who later tested positive for Covid-19 have not been considered close contacts by the HSE.
The SNA at a Cork high school tested positive two weeks ago, but had been teaching vulnerable students the week before contracting the virus, according to the Irish Examiner.
The school informed the HSE and the rest of the school staff about the positive case on Monday, after the SNA informed the school the day before, the last Sunday of the week.
However, the school principal contacted the HSE again that afternoon when there were no calls from the contact tracers.
A positive ANS worked side by side, hand feeding and toilet training, at an intimate level of care with some of these students.
The school was then told that due to adherence to social distancing and mask use guidelines, there was “zero risk of transmission” of the virus.
When the HSE was informed that the vulnerable students in the class were not wearing masks, they were not yet considered to be close contacts. The SNA in question was wearing a mask.
A staff member who spoke to the Irish Examiner said students who did not wear masks received intimate care and he “does not believe” 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.
How not to tell parents that someone who works with their child has Covid? It breaks my sense of ethics.
“My biggest concern is the students. It is deeply disturbing, I have agonized even to speak of it.
“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.”
The school was unable to inform either parent of the positive case under Covid-19 guidelines, and the staff member who contacted the Irish examiner described the situation as unethical.
“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.
Concerns have been raised with us regarding students who have not required masks and why the guidelines are not different regarding these students.
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.”
[ad_2]