FURTHER COVID-19 TESTING AVAILABLE AT PAPATOETOE HIGH SCHOOL OVER WEEKEND

17.2.2021

Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS) is asking the Papatoetoe High School community - staff, students and household members - to get tested if they haven’t had a test since February 15.

A testing centre will be operating at the school on Saturday and Sunday. Testing is also available at other community testing centres in the area for anyone who needs to get tested – students, staff and household members. For information on testing locations in Auckland, visit www.arphs.health.nz/covid19test.

The two new cases of COVID-19 are Papatoetoe High School students are from the same family, with one student in the same class as the case from Sunday. The school will now be closed until Monday 22 February 2021.

ARPHS is recommending that all students and staff are tested and they must have a negative test result before they return to school on Monday. Students and staff who are close contacts have to remain in 14 days’ self-isolation, until they are cleared by Public Health.

All siblings of students and children of staff should not attend other schools until Monday.

Everyone at the school should stay at home and remain in their home bubbles, although they can exercise while keeping physical distance from others.

All staff, students and household members who are not close contacts also need to take action:

• Everyone (including household members) is encouraged to stay home until Monday.
• Students and staff cannot return to school unless they have had a negative test result.
• Siblings of students and children of staff should not attend school and Early Learning Services until Monday.
• All household members should work from home until Monday.
• This also means that everyone in the school community is asked not attend large gatherings until Monday.
• All household members of all students and staff should be tested if they have not been tested since 15 February.
• Students should not attend school at any time if unwell. They should stay home if they develop any symptoms, and call Healthline on 0800 358 5453 and get tested again.
• If any household members are unwell or have COVID-19 symptoms, we ask that they stay home and get tested.

Students and staff who are close contacts have been given advice from Auckland Regional Public Health Service about testing and how long to stay in self-isolation.

ARPHS is also asking that all household members of close contacts to also have a test as soon as possible, if they have not already had a test since 15 February. They need to stay in self-isolation until they receive a negative test result.

It is vital that everyone at the school is tested on the weekend if they have not already been tested to ensure there are no further cases of COVID-19 in the school community.

Everyone should also watch for the symptoms of COVID-19

• New or worsening cough
• Fever
• Sore throat
• Temporary loss of smell or taste
• Difficulty breathing
• Runny nose.

If anyone becomes unwell, please phone the 24-hour COVID-19 Healthline number 0800 358 5453 and they will provide advice.

Public Health has more information and fact sheets, visit the COVID-19 page on www.arphs.health.nz.

Ends

Image of Papatoetoe High School - Credit Pacific Media Network