Werrington Public School shut after teacher gets COVID-19
A school in Sydney’s west has been forced to shut its gates and is being professionally cleaned by workers in Hazmat suits just days after students returned to classrooms as a teacher is among four new cases of coronavirus in NSW.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A school near Penrith in Sydney’s west has been forced to shut its gates and is being professionally cleaned by workers in Hazmat suits after a staff member contracted COVID-19.
The teacher from Werrington Public School tested positive for the deadly disease this week – but it is unclear how they became infected.
Students from the school learnt from home today as a cleaning squad blitzes the school to stamp out any trace of the virus.
Cleaners in white Hazmat suits wearing protective masks were seen wiping every surface in the school playground this afternoon.
NSW Health’s contact tracing team is working to identify anyone who may have been in touch with the sick teacher.
Staff and students who are a close contact of the teacher have been told to self-isolate.
Authorities will notify anyone who may have been exposed to the virus.
It comes as four new cases of COVID-19 have been detected overnight from more than 9,700 swabs.
NSW chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant said the staff member is included in the new cases.
The second case was contracted overseas while the third came from northern NSW and the fourth has an unknown source of infection.
It comes as the premier warns it is “more important than ever” for people to practice social distancing and present to clinics for testing as the state gears up for a loosening of restrictions.
“Be careful when you’re near surfaces. Avoid touching surfaces, avoid physical contact and just be careful.”