6th March 22
Kia ora koutou,
All last week I have talked with principal colleagues who have had covid-19 cases within their schools. It is now our turn.
The health and wellbeing of our students, whānau and staff is a top priority for Otaika Valley School. This email message is to confirm news of positive COVID-19 cases connected to the School.
I would like to thank the parents who have contacted the school to let us know as soon as they knew, this certainly helps us with our planning and responses.
While it was inevitable that there would be an escalation in Covid cases in the community, it does not make getting it any easier.
With Phase 3 of the Omicron response, the key change is that it is only confirmed cases and their household contacts who need to self-isolate. Everyone else, including those who may have had close contact with the case but aren’t in the household, must continue to monitor very closely for any symptoms of COVID-19.
Your job remains the same, too: please continue to keep a really close watch of your whānau for anyone with symptoms. If unwell, please stay at home and get advice about getting a COVID-19 test.
Under Phase 3 of the Omicron response the School is still open for learning and we will continue to follow Public Health Guidelines. These guidelines include:
- Wearing face masks indoors for students and staff Year 4 and above;
- Maintaining well ventilated classrooms;
- Frequent use of handwashing and hand sanitizer by staff and students;
- Students and staff only attend school if they are 100% well.
- No non-essential visitors to school.
With Phase 3 of the Omicron response, the key change is that it is only confirmed cases and their household contacts who need to self-isolate. Everyone else, including those who may have had close contact with the case but aren’t in the household, must continue to monitor closely for any symptoms of COVID-19.
If anyone in your family is confirmed as having COVID-19, you will be asked to notify your close contacts yourself. Please get in touch with us as soon as you can if your child or household members have tested positive for COVID-19. This will enable us to track when isolating students are expected to return, following 10 days of home isolation. We will also be able to plan home learning for students, when this can be facilitated.
Rapid antigen tests (RATs) are now being used at some testing centres to diagnose COVID-19 as well as PCR tests. This means that you will get an almost immediate test result back if a RAT is used. If you have a positive RAT test, you need to lodge this with the Ministry of Health so that you can get the support that you need. Here is the link to lodge a positive RAT test: Reporting a RAT result or watch the Video or phone 0800 222 478 and press option 3.
Please be aware of the signs or symptoms of COVID, which include:
- A new or worsening cough
- Sneezing and runny nose
- A fever
- Temporary loss of smell or altered sense of taste
- Sore throat
- Shortness of breath
There is information online to help your family prepare to isolate if you need to. COVID-19 will impact families in different ways, the following link provides information for families to access food, medicine, or access financial support: Help is available – COVID-19 Health Hub.
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