Melbourne school closed for coronavirus assessment
Yeshivah – Beth Rivkah Colleges has received a positive test for a staff member who returned on Qantas flight QF94 from Los Angeles last Friday morning.
Beth Rivkah Photo: Wikipedia
The school has been shut down for 24 hours to assess the situation.
Principal Dr Shimon Waronker said: “With that in mind, and the safety and wellbeing of our community we are working with DHHS and the Department of Education and Training and going through the process of mapping the potential spread of the virus within the school. We will then make contact with families and identify anyone who could have been impacted from within the school, and where possible, the greater community.
We have been in contact with relevant authorities to alert them of the interruption to our program.
We will be working carefully with them to ensure that we minimise the impact on our students here at school, particularly those studying towards their VCE.
We have a contingency plan which we are now putting into effect.”
The closures affect Yeshivah – Beth Rivkah Colleges Including the Early Learning Centre & Creche and the Yeshivah Centre.
A letter to parents stated: “As we have discussed, one staff member at Yeshiva-Beth Rivkah colleges has tested positive for COVID-19, and a number of students have test results pending. As there have been potential exposures to staff and students, the Department of Health and Human Services (the department) recommends closing the colleges for at least one day (Wednesday March 11) and possibly further pending test results and contact tracing activities tomorrow to determine if any staff or students are required to home quarantine.
- Please stay at home as much as possible tomorrow, awaiting further instruction from the department regarding either returning to normal activities or the need to home quarantine pending contact status
- All staff and students will receive information from the department informing them of whether they have been identified as a contact of COVID-19 or not and what steps they need to take
- Only people who have had *close* contact with a case will require to undertake home quarantine – You will be advised either way, whether you (or your child) are a close contact and the need to home quarantine
- Any staff or student who is unwell should seek medical attention, via their usual GP if possible (call ahead first) or through a screening clinic or ED if they are severely unwell
- Please do not see a doctor or seek testing if you are well
- Please see the departments website for information on COVID-19 – further detailed information will be provided tomorrow https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/victorian-public-coronavirus-disease-covid-19
- We understand that this is a very anxious time, and we appreciate your patience as we identify all of the contacts across the school and ensure everyone is informed as soon as possible.
