A Message from the Health Centre

Below is a summary of recommendations and advice to decrease the risk of transmission of airborne respiratory viruses including Covid-19.

• Common symptoms of the current Omicron variant of Covid-19 include a sore throat, runny nose, blocked nose, sneezing, cough, headache, hoarse voice, fatigue, aches and pains.
• Vaccine and natural immunity are no protection for reinfection with the latest variant.
• Other viruses around currently include: influenza, RSV, adenovirus, rhinovirus and metapneumovirus. These are also causing a high number of respiratory illnesses in adults and children.
• We encourage everyone to socially distance where possible or wear a mask.
• Mask use is strongly recommended in all crowded indoor places and continues to be mandated on public transport.
• If displaying any symptoms, to reduce further transmission to others, it is recommended to remain at home until well. A box of 5 RATs will be sent home with each student shortly.

If a child is a close contact of Covid-19, they may attend school, but a mask MUST be worn for at least 7 days while closely monitoring for symptoms for 14 days. If symptoms develop, the student should isolate at home and advise others with whom they have been in close contact. A negative PCR or RAT test is not a reason to ignore the need to isolate until symptoms have resolved, due to the higher incidence of false negatives in the early stages of infection

As we return to school, if you are sick with flu, please stay at home and avoid close contact with other people to prevent them from also becoming sick. Keep sick children away from school and other activities. Wait at least 24 hours after fever resolves, so you that you are unlikely to infect other people. The following link leads to a useful fact sheet on the flu: Influenza fact sheet – Fact sheets (nsw.gov.au)