Gippsland primary school battles worst Covid outbreak in the state

Gippsland schools are battling to keep Covid outbreaks under control as one local primary school becomes the worst hit in Victoria.

A Gippsland community is battling to keep a Covid outbreak under control as numbers continue to grow in local primary schools.

Morwell Park Primary School has the largest cluster in the state — surging to 76 active cases.

A positive case attended the grounds on October 29 which forced the school to close on November 1 to identify students and staff who were on site at the time.

A pop-up testing clinic was set-up in the gym for students across all year levels.

Principal Chris Joustra told parents to be mindful of their commentary.

“Behind each of our notifications are real children with real Covid and families facing the associated health concerns,” he said.

“These children and their families did not ask for Covid and as a school our focus should be on supporting each other through complex health challenges facing our community.”

Covid cases continue to rise at Stockdale Road Primary School in Traralgon with 29 confirmed infections.

Gippsland Regional Primary Health Unit is managing more than 600 active cases across the region including Latrobe, Baw Baw, East Gippsland and Bass Coast.

Bass Coast Health chief executive Jan Child said case numbers would increase as the state opened up and less public health measures were in place.

“While everyone else in the community is savouring the thought of opening up, healthcare

settings across the state will be busier than they have ever been before,” she said.

“A daunting prospect, but one we are ready for.”

Top ten school clusters in Victoria:

• Morwell Park Primary School, Morwell – 76

• Islamic College of Melbourne, Tarneit – 60

• Supreme Caravans Manufacturing, Campbellfield – 51

• Sacred Heart Primary School, Yarrawonga – 47

• Minaret College Officer Campus, Officer – 41

• Society Restaurant, Melbourne – 36

• Al Siraat College, Epping – 34

• Royal Freemasons Coppin Centre, Melbourne – 33

• Stockdale Road Primary School, Traralgon – 29

• Yeshivah College, St Kilda East – 24

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