A West Clare School Principal insists that it’s impossible for any school to keep covid-19 completely at bay.
It comes as the HSE’s testing and tracing system is under pressure after 28 thousand children presented for PCR tests in the past seven days.
Thousands of schoolchildren are out of school this week as they were deemed to be close contacts of someone with Covid, while teachers are reporting that some children are coming to school with symptoms.
Its led to calls from an Ennis Principal for a dedicated phoneline and additional supports to be put in place for Principals.
Fr Ignatius McCormack of St Flannan’s College in Ennis says the contact tracing system is currently too slow.
A senior HSE official says a risk-benefit analysis of schoolchildren being ‘close contacts’ will have to be examined on account of the issue.
28 thousand children between the ages of 0 and 14 have presented for PCR tests in the past week.
Chief Clinical Officer with the HSE, Dr Colm Henry, says the close contact policy may change for children.
Teachers union the INTO is calling for a public awareness campaign to ensure schools can stay open safely.
General Secretary, John Boyle says a large-scale public awareness campaign would help prevent the spread of Covid-19 in schools.
