COVID Process for Confirmed cases and close contacts 2023

To clarify the process for if your child tests positive to Covid19, or is a confirmed household (or household-like) contact, please follow the information below.

If your child tests positive to COVID19:

1. Email the school office on northcote.ps@education.vic.gov.au, CC your child's classroom teacher into the email. Please include all of the following details:

•  the last day your child attended school; 
• your child's homegroup teacher; 
• the date the positive result was received; 
• if the test was a PCR or RAT; 
• if your child attends OSH, Kelly Sports, Chess or Music; 
• if your child is symptomatic or asymptomatic.

1. Parents/carers should complete the Student COVID-19 COVID Test Portal if a student tests positive to COVID-19 (via a PCR or rapid antigen test). Where a parent/carer informs the school by phone or written notification, the school should complete the Schools COVID Case Management Tool.
2. Students who report a positive result are recommended to isolate for a minimum of 5 days and not attend school until their symptoms have resolved. Students who isolate as a result of a positive COVID-19 test should be supported in the same way as students with an extended absence due to illness or injury, with learning materials provided to support their continued learning.
3. There is no longer a requirement for principals to inform the school community of a positive case associated with the school.

Schools must treat health information, including positive COVID-19 test results, in accordance with the Schools’ Privacy Policy. COVID-19 diagnoses are not to be shared or discussed unless the individual (or their parent/carer) provides consent, or unless schools are legally obliged or authorised to do so. Further guidance on the handling of health care information can be found on PAL under Privacy and information sharing – Health care information

If your child is a household (or household-like) contact:

1. Email the school office on northcote.ps@education.vic.gov.au, CC your child's classroom teacher into the email. Please include all of the following details:

•  if your child will be isolating at home over the next 5 days, or if they will attend school (if choosing to attend school, please see further information below)
• what date the student was exposed to the confirmed COVID19 case, and when the 5 day isolation period ends.

If your child is attending school during the 5 day period, these additional precautions must be taken:

• the family must notify the school that the child is a household contact.
• the child must take rapid antigen testing 2 times over the 5 days.
• the child must wear a facemask at all times indoors (if aged 8 years and above or unless they have a valid exemption).
• if the child becomes symptomatic, they must stay/return home and take a RAT or PCR test. If a positive result is confirmed, the advice for 'confirmed case' must be followed.