No need for panic – what to do if your child catches covid

Your child has covid. So, now what?

First, don’t panic. In the vast majority of people, and in particular young people, covid-19 is a mild illness, albeit highly transmissible.

According to the Women’s and Children’s Hospital’s COVIDkids service: “Most children with covid-19 only experience a mild illness, or will have no symptoms at all, and can safely remain at home without the need for medical support.”

If your child tests positive to covid-19, you should keep them home and notify Blackfriars immediately.

“This will allow the school to notify parents of students in that class, or classroom, of the positive case,” Principal David Ruggiero said.

Any student with covid-19 will be required to stay home for 10 days.

Mr Ruggiero said in the event of a positive case, the school and Early Learning Centre would remain open.

So-called “classroom contacts” would not be expected to quarantine, unless they developed symptoms, in which case, they should be kept home and tested.

“Parents and caregivers are a key part of the success of this plan,” Mr Ruggiero said.

“The new arrangements recognise the importance of providing quality education and care for our children and students while minimising the risk of COVID-19 transmission.”

Separate arrangements are in place for students working closely with Education Support Officers. More information is available in the letter attached.

Teachers who are exposed to covid-19 will undertake seven days of rapid antigen tests, while Early Learning Centre staff will complete surveillance testing three times a week.

Contact the school immediately on 0438 483 997 (SMS) or [email protected]
should your child test positive to covid-19.

“It’s vitally important that you please keep your child home if they are unwell, experiencing any covid-19 symptoms, any other member of the household has covid-19 or they are a close contact and are required to quarantine,” Mr Ruggiero said.

“These new settings will be in place until the end of Week 4 of Term 1. However, with the rapidly changing nature of the pandemic, this may be reviewed or changed, if and when needed. As always, we must remain flexible and responsive.

“Thank you for your understanding and support in implementing these temporary measures as we continue to adjust to this rapidly changing pandemic.”

_{Main picture courtesy Fusion Medical Animation on Unsplash}