Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 October 2020
33. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Education the number of staff in secondary and primary schools confirmed as having contracted Covid-19 since schools reopened; the procedures for their return to work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30252/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Protection Surveillance Centre and the HSE have published guidance for managing potential cases of COVID-19 in educational settings, which includes the testing strategy within an educational facility ‘Schools Pathway for COVID-19, the Public Health approach’
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/a0bff-reopening-our-primary-and-special-schools/
This guidance provides that the HSE Department of Public Health will liaise directly with schools regarding any actions to be taken following a Public Health Risk Assessment.
As of 6th October, a total 252 schools have had/are having some testing completed as a consequence of a Public Health Risk Assessment. From the 252 schools that had mass tests, with 6000 students and staff having been tested, an additional 112 detected cases have been identified over and above original cases (a positive detection rate of COVID-19 of less than 2%).
The Department of Health also note that these additional cases did not necessarily develop COVID-19 as a result of contact with an index case in the school, and the additional cases detected via contact tracing are likely to include people who contracted COVID-19 as result of exposure in the wider community (e.g. household/social setting).
My Department has provided guidance in circular 49/20 Coronavirus (COVID-19): ‘Arrangements for Teachers and Special Needs Assistants employed in recognised Primary and Post Primary schools’, which includes guidance on an employee returning to work following a COVID 19 diagnosis. https://www.education.ie/en/Circulars-and-Forms/Active-Circulars/cl0049_2020.pdf.
