At least half a dozen Hunter schools will be closed from Monday 1 November following more COVID-19 scares throughout the region.
The NSW Department of Education announced over the weekend that Newcastle Junior, Eleebana Public, Jewells Public, Soldiers Point Public and Maitland Grossman High would shut their doors effective immediately, along with Drummond Memorial Public, Inverell High, Cabramatta West Public, Russell Vale Public, James Cook Boys High, Strathfield South High, Moama Public, Albury North Public, Hampden Park Public, Chertsey Public, Henry Kendall High, Cowra Public and Lapstone Public.
In the past week alone, Thornton Public, Irrawang Public, Mayfield West Public, Weston Public, Mayfield East Public, Carrington Public, Maitland East Public and Francis Greenway High School, Woodberry, have also been impacted.
“Unfortunately, they’ll remain closed until further notice after a school community member/s tested positive for COVID-19,” an NSW Education spokesperson said.
“Most facilities are normally only shut for 24 hours to allow contact tracing and cleaning.
“All staff and students are asked to self-isolate and follow the NSW Health advice and protocols.
“NSW Health has requested anyone who has been unwell or if you develop any symptoms such as a fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, loss of smell/taste, muscle/joint pains, diarrhoea, nausea/vomiting or extreme tiredness to be tested at one of the COVID-19 testing clinics.”
On the plus side, the spokesperson admitted, was the reopening of Woodland Road Public, Blaxcell Street Public, Nowra East Public, Glenroy Public, Peel High, The Rivers Secondary College Kadina Campus, Wauchope Public, Caves Beach Public and Lavington Public throughout the state on Monday 1 November.
“Students and staff, who were identified as close contacts, were notified and self-isolated,” she said.
“Each school has been thoroughly cleaned.”
For further information on COVID-19, visit the NSW Government website.
Alternative, more details about the NSW Department of Education’s response to the virous is available on the department’s website.
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