Safety & First Aid News 

Rapid Antigen testing and face masks

It is recommended that rapid antigen tests (RATs) are used by students and staff when symptomatic.  

RATs are sent home with students.  If you require more RATs, please email the school with your request.  cranbourne.south.ps@education.vic.gov.au

Current advice from the Victorian government is available at Face masks.

Staff and students who wish to wear a face mask should be supported to do so, and schools should continue to make face masks available for staff, students and visitors.

The Department of Health recommends that masks should be worn by a person who is a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 when leaving home.

Additionally, the Department of Health recommends that masks should be worn by a person who has COVID-19 for at least 7 days after a positive test when they need to leave home.

Management of suspected cases of COVID-19 in schools

A ‘suspected’ case means a person who displays any COVID-19 symptoms who has not yet tested positive for COVID-19. 

The staff member, student or visitor who is symptomatic should be recommended to undergo testing for COVID-19. 

Parents of students who are symptomatic will be asked to collect their child from school and to keep them home until they are no longer symptomatic.

Managing a confirmed case of COVID-19 in schools 

The Department of Health recommends that a person who tests positive to COVID-19 report that result to their employer, school and household.

Where a student or staff member is identified as a positive case, the following steps should be taken:

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.