Coronavirus: Normanhurst school staff member tests positive to COVID-19

Normanhurst West Public School will be “non-operational” after a staff member contracted the virus, with people who were in close contact being told to go into self isolation.

The outside of Normanhurst West Public School, which has now been forced to clos down after a staff member was confirmed to have COVID-19. Picture: Google

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A public school in Normanhurst has been handed a notice of closure after a staff member tested positive for COVID-19.

The NSW Department of Education announced Normanhurst West Public School will be “non-operational” as it works with NSW Health to carry out a “contact tracing process”.

Staff and students who were in close contact with the confirmed COVID-19 case have been advised to self isolate for the required period.

In the meantime a vigorous clean of the school will occur before it reopens although the State Government is now encouraging children to learn from home.

Normanhurst West Public School principal Paul McSweeney wrote a letter to parents on Sunday.

A letter from the school to parents. Picture: Facebook

“Over the past 12-hours the Dept of Education has informed me of circumstances that will affect our school community for the next few days,” Mr McSweeney wrote.

The letter contains the notice of closure that was passed onto the school.

“The school will work to minimise disruption to students’ learning and students will be able to work on their homework, as provided on Friday, during the time at home. The school will keep parents informed during this time. If you have not been advised to self isolate you may continue your normal daily activities,” the notice reads.

Normanhurst West Public School sign. The school told parents it would remain non operational on March 23 and 24. Picture: Google

The update was also posted to the NSW Department of Education’s Facebook page which received 423 reactions and 375 comments.

“The scary thing is that the teacher would have been infectious prior to the test so how many kids and staff have they infected in that time? This is the worry,” one person wrote.

“Wishing the teacher well. Hoping for your speedy recovery, whoever you are,” another person wrote in the comments.

The school will recieve another update tomorrow.