St Mary’s Catholic Primary School Colac has confirmed a second student has contracted COVID-19, after a Grade Six student tested positive on the weekend.
A parent of two other students also tested positive to bring the school community’s total to four, after a Grade One student and the parent of a different Grade Six student were confirmed cases last week.
The Grade Six student whose parent tested positive does not have the virus and has returned a negative test.
The affected students have not attended school since July 17.
School principal Michael Mahoney released the following statement to parents today:
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Where To Buy“On Sunday 26th July I received confirmation that a student in Grade 6 has tested positive for COVID-19. As you are aware this is the second case in our school, with a Grade 1 student testing positive on Friday 24th July. I also wish to advise that this morning I received confirmation that a parent of children in Grades Prep and Two tested positive for COVID-19 over the weekend. All students affected in these cases have not attended school since Friday 17th July. Our thoughts and prayers go out to these families in this most difficult time.
“Last week I informed the school community that a parent of a Grade 6 student had tested positive for COVID-19. I am pleased to confirm that the test results for this student have returned negative. We continue to pray for the health and safety of the student’s father at this time.
“After discussions with Barwon Health and on the advice of the CathoIic Education Office, Ballarat Diocese, I wish to inform the school community that the school will be closed while contact tracing for the related cases are completed. This includes identifying and notifying any person who has been in close recent contact with the affected student who has tested positive for COVID-19. The results of testing close contacts will assist in determining where these infections were acquired. Once information is given by Barwon Health, we will be in a position to confirm school operation details for the short term. I will keep you informed about this as information comes to hand.
“Teachers have sent home a range of independent learning activities that can be completed at home by the students. I am aware that this is a very stressful time for our whole community and the health and safety of all is our priority at present. Therefore, there is no pressure to complete all the assigned activities.
“Thank you for your patience and ongoing support in this challenging time. Please continue to limit your contact with others and abide by the advice from our health professionals, so we can get our community back to some normality in the coming weeks.”