8.9.2020
Confirmed COVID-19 case at St Dominic’s Catholic College
Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS) can confirm that a St Dominic’s Catholic College student has been diagnosed with COVID-19.
As per usual protocols, the school has been closed for at least 72 hours for cleaning. ARPHS and the Ministry of Education are working with the College to identify close contacts of the case.
An ARPHS spokesperson says letters informing staff and families of the situation were issued on Tuesday afternoon. Any close contacts who are identified will soon receive further advice on self-isolation and testing.
The case last attended school on Friday but left early after starting to feel unwell. The family did all the right things, arranging for the student to get tested over the weekend. ARPHS was notified of the confirmed case this morning.
The whole school community has been asked to remain vigilant for the signs of COVID-19 and to call their doctor or Healthline for advice, and get tested, if they do become unwell.
ARPHS is also aware of a number of students from Liston College who attended classes at St Dominic’s, but considers these students to be casual contacts only.
A close contact of the case who attends Henderson North School is self-isolating and has been tested, but remains well and was very unlikely to have been infectious when last at school.
While there will be a great deal of concern among families and staff, there is a low risk to the vast majority of these school communities. At this stage, only people who have COVID-19 symptoms should seek to be tested.
St Dominic’s Catholic College will not be telling parents or staff the name of the student who is a case, their class or year level to protect the privacy of the student.
The person and their family are in isolation, with Public Health monitoring their health and wellbeing.
Public Health is asking that parents remind students to:
• Practise safe hand, cough and sneeze hygiene to reduce the risk of infection. That means coughing or sneezing into your elbow or a disposable tissue, then putting used tissues in the bin and washing your hands afterwards.
• Maintain physical distancing of two metres outside of home, including on public transport.
• Strongly consider wearing a mask when out and about.
• Frequently and thoroughly wash and dry hands (with soap and water for at least 20-30 seconds). Hand sanitiser is also a useful alternative option if soap and water is not readily available.
• Carry disposable tissues in bags or pockets.