St Pius X Adamstown has been forced to close after a confirmed case of coronavirus
The virus has made its way into a Newcastle high school. St Pius X Adamstown has gone into lockdown and students and staff are on high alert, with a student testing positive.
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A Newcastle high school has been forced to shut down for the rest of the week after one of its students tested positive for COVID-19.
St Pius X Adamstown was advised by NSW Health on Wednesday afternoon - when students had already left the school grounds - that a male student had received a confirmed diagnosis.
It saw the school go into lockdown, closed tomorrow and Friday for deep cleaning.
A letter went out to all parents and carers and the school posted the message on their Facebook page.
“We are now working with NSW Health to identify any close contacts.” Principal Robert Emery said.
“NSW Health will be directly in contact to provide advice to any students or staff identified as a close contact.
“All students and staff are required by NSW Health to self-isolate until you are notified you are not a close contact.
“This notification will come from the school as soon as possible.
“If you develop symptoms, please also get tested.”
The teenager caught the Number 26 school bus from Hamilton to Adamstown to school on Monday August 3, at 8.20am.
All people on the bus at this time are being urged to isolate for 14 days and seek testing.
The teenager is also a team member of the Newcastle Jets under 15’s representative squad, and played a match against the Stanmore Hawks at Arlington Oval in Dulwich Hill on 1 August.
His teammates and the members of the opposing team have also been told to isolate for 14 days.
A thorough environmental cleaning will be undertaken at the school and further information about when the school will re-open will be provided over the weekend.
A Catholic Schools spokesperson said the safety and wellbeing of staff and students was paramount.
“We will continue to work closely with NSW Health to ensure all necessary health advice is adhered to,” they said.
Hunter New England Local Health is urging anyone who attended St Pius X High School on Monday 3 August to be on the lookout for COVID-19 symptoms and get tested immediately should any respiratory symptoms or fever occur.