As we continue to work towards keeping our school community safe. We draw your attention to new guidance issued by the HSE and HPSC regarding close contacts.
If you feel unwell or display any one COVID-19 symptom (headache, cough, dry cough, sore throat, chest pain, runny nose, loss of taste/smell, aches and pains, difficulty breathing etc.) please do not send your son to school. Seek further guidance from your GP, HSE and consider making use of an antigen test.
Information for close contacts who are fully vaccinated
- Close contacts who show no symptoms and are fully vaccinated (includes booster) no longer have to isolate for five days. The HSE will advise you to wear a higher grade mask e.g. FFP2 and make use of antigen tests regularly.
Information for close contacts who are not vaccinated or who have not received a booster
- People who have not received a booster vaccine (not fully vaccinated) will have to isolate for 7 days.
Information for students with a positive PCR or antigen test
- Self-isolate for 7 days from date of symptom onset, or if asymptomatic from the date of positive test result (either antigen or PCR test).
- Any individual with a positive antigen should regard it as confirmed COVID-19 and register it with the HSE. (https://antigentesting.hse.ie/). A confirmatory PCR test is not required.
- Can exit self-isolation after 7 full days, once symptoms have substantially or fully resolved for the final 2 days (48 hours) of the self-isolation period.
- Wear an FFP2 or medical grade face mask (surgical mask) for 10 full days after onset of symptoms or from the date of a positive test result.
On exiting self-isolation cases should be advised to follow the below advice, especially during day 8, day 9 and day 10:
- limit close contact with other people outside their household, especially in crowded, enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces
- wear an FFP2 mask or medical grade face mask (surgical mask) in crowded, enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces andwhere they are in close contact with other people
- avoid contact with anyone who is at higher risk of severe illness if infected with COVID-19
- If symptoms develop after exiting self-isolation, the individual should self-isolate again and re-test.
Information for all other categories see information provided by the HPSC.
For more information: www.hse.ie/covid19
