Schools put to the test

Closures a possibility if Covid case numbers keep rising

CLOSURE of state schools has not been ruled out amid an expected Covid wave inundating the Cairns education system, as lack of disclosure about Covid-affected year levels frustrates parents.

On Friday, more than 1100 school-aged children across the state had returned positive Covid tests.

Education Queensland declined to provide a list of affected schools, however it’s understood Caravonica State School, Cairns State High School, Edge Hill State School, St Gerard Majella Primary School, Trinity Bay State School, Woree State High School, Bentley Park College, Redlynch State College and Whitfield State School have all recorded positive cases this week.

Queensland chief health officer John Gerrard said ongoing cases were expected within the school system in the coming weeks.

“It’s not a surprise and we’re not unduly concerned about it,” he said.

“We just need to see what happens with the trend with children.

“The point is most of these cases are very mild. They’re no different to any other respiratory illness.

“But it is important that children who have any sort of respiratory illness continue to get tested either using the PCR system or RAT tests.”

Hiccups in communication with parents was reported at Whitfield State Primary School when messages informing of affected classrooms went to the wrong parents.

Following complaints from parents voicing concern at wasted rapid antigen tests when affected year levels were at first not disclosed, St Gerard Majella School on Friday started giving a daily Covid update with case numbers and year levels affected.

A Department of Education spokesman said if a school returned multiple Covid cases, the institution would “work closely” with the Public Health Unit about a need to close.

“Principals will communicate with their school communities should there be a requirement to close for any length of time,” he said. “(But) for privacy reasons, the department is unable to provide details relating to positive cases in school communities.”

Cairns Catholic Education Services executive director Bill Dixon said free rapid antigen tests would be made available to students who developed symptoms, but selected schools would not provide detailed case information, to “protect the identity of individuals in our school communities,” Mr Dixon said.