What will happen if there is an outbreak of Covid-19 in a classroom?

IT TAKES only two cases in a single setting to be classed a Covid-19 cluster. With about one million pupils returning to classrooms in the coming weeks, joined by more than 100,000 staff, it is a statistical certainty that schools will not be immune to such outbreaks.

School reopening guidelines put an emphasis than one, whether pupil, staff member or visitor? Should parents and staff worry? What can they expect? Will a class be sent home, or will the school have to close?

Schools won’t close automatically, but an entire class or other groups – such as members of the same sports team – may face quarantine for 14 days.

There are protocols for managing a suspected case, but the impact on the wider functioning of a school will depend on the particular circumstances.

This week, a crèche in Co Meath closed for a week on the advice of public health authorities after two staff members – and later, three children – tested positive.

Initially, management closed three of the eight rooms. But after positive test results were returned for three children, the entire centre was shut. The children were asymptomatic, while the two staff members showed very mild symptoms.

The guidelines to schools for safe reopening include a requirement to have a designated area or areas within the building where a staff member or pupil suspected of having Covid-19 can be isolated before being safely transported home or referred to health services.

The school will then have to assess the incident and follow up with necessary action.

Public health advice for schools is evolving but, in the event of a suspected or confirmed case, the school must follow the instructions of HSE Public Health – including informing any staff/parents or students who come into close contact with a diagnosed case via the contact tracing process.

If one or more cases of Covid-19 is confirmed, testing and contact tracing by public health authorities will be key

to limiting the spread and, ultimately, will decide on the level of disruption to school life and the impact on pupils.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has published guidance for schools on dealing with close contacts of Covid cases – those who have a high risk of exposure to infection. Any close contacts should selfisolate for 14 days.

In schools, it defines close contact as being in the same classroom for more than 15 minutes, or being in close proximity to a confirmed case during breaks or sport activities, in the cafeteria, gym or school playground.

Students and staff in boarding schools/residential schools and those sleeping in the same room or sharing a common kitchen, social space or bathroom would also be deemed to have a high risk of exposure to a confirmed case.

The ECDC advice is that close contacts should quarantine at home if possible and, if not possible, respect physical distancing measures and avoid travel.

Low risk of exposure contacts in a school setting, including school transport, are defined as students and staff with whom the confirmed case spent less than 15 minutes. However, public health authorities may consider some children with a low risk of exposure as having had a high risk of exposure, based on individual risk assessments.

on keeping Covid out, with key messages such as “if infection is not introduced it cannot be spread”. That is why staff and pupils should stay away if they have symptoms, why everyone entering a school needs to understand the importance of hand and respiratory hygiene, and why visitors will be kept to a minimum. If coronavirus gets through the door, there is a risk of infection spreading. Primary schools in particular will be conscious that young children are more likely to be asymptomatic and may not easily be identified as cases. So what happens if principals find themselves confronted by a suspected or confirmed case? Or more

PHOTO: CIARA WILKINSON Bigger classes: The loss of a teacher at St Patrick’s NS in Harestown, Co Louth, means that pupils from senior infants to third class will be taught in groups of mixed levels. Principal Fiachra Bell and school secretary Mary McCabe rearrange furniture to safely accommodate the pupils.