Covid-19: Tipperary school is closed after pupil tests positive

A school in Co Tipperary has closed its doors on Monday after a confirmed case of Covid-19.

Presentation Primary School in Carrick-on-Suir, which has over 300 pupils, told parents on Monday morning it was suspending its classes with immediate effect.

It is now waiting for public health specialists to carry out a full risk assessment. An update on classes is expected to be provided to parents later on Monday evening.

It is understood there were two confirmed cases at the school, and the closure was a “precautionary” measure.

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The school had informed a number of parents of pupils in one particular class over the weekend that their child had been deemed a close contact of a diagnosed case and the decision was then taken on Monday morning to suspend all classes. Parents received a text at around 11am to collect their children from the school.

It is believed an outbreak arose elsewhere in the town, which is on the Tipperary-Waterford border.

Some 30 cases of Covid-19 were recorded for Tipperary in Sunday’s figures, while 32 were confirmed for Waterford.

A spokesperson for the Department of Education said it did not comment on individual cases.

“The Department of Health and the HSE have reaffirmed that schools in themselves are low risk environments and that a gradual phased reopening can occur at this time. Public health has reviewed the measures put in place to ensure the safe operation of schools and is satisfied that these infection prevention and control measures, if rigorously adhered to, will keep the school community safe during this period.”

The HSE has a well-established protocol in place to support schools where there is a confirmed case of Covid-19 connected with a school, the spokesperson added.

As part of the public health risk assessment, all relevant persons including close contacts of a diagnosed case will be contacted, while the school management will be advised on the appropriate action, on a “case-by-case basis”.