Today, Friday 9 October 2020, The Ministry of Education, Youth Sports, Agriculture and Lands (MEYSAL) confirms that a student of Red Bay Primary school has tested positive for COVID-19 Coronavirus and is symptomatic. Under the advice of the Public Health authorities, the parents and staff of the school have been notified and the appropriate measures to trace, contain and prevent any further transmission of the virus are being followed. MEYSAL together with the Department of Education Services (DES) have been in close contact with Public Health. Further guidance will be provided to the parents/guardians of any further actions to be taken.

“As we are responsible for safeguarding all of our students and staff, we also have a responsibility to uphold the COVID-19 Coronavirus prevention and protection measures currently in place by the local health authorities. Since the reopening of schools all year groups were placed in containment bubbles as a safety measure. Parents of all the students in the affected year group bubble have been contacted to come to the school. Each student along with their household members will be tested and will all be required to isolate in their homes, until they receive clearance from the Public Health Authorities, “ assured the Acting Director of Education Services, Ms. Tammy Banks-DaCosta.

“We understand any concerns parents may have about their child and family at this time and would like everyone to know that we care and are proactively managing the situation with the entire school body’s health, wellness and safety as our top priority. We encourage parents to remain calm at this time,” Ms. Banks-DaCosta also added.

On 4 March 2020 all parents and guardians of government schools were provided with the attached bulletin that detailed what the infection control practices for the COVID-19 Coronavirus are and also explained the procedures that parents/guardians should adhere to should their child or ward display COVID-19 Coronavirus symptoms. Parents are asked to continue to follow and adhere to these measures.

MEYSAL remains committed to keeping schools, parents and guardians and the wider public informed of further developments as they arise. For a trusted and reliable source for the latest information visit www.gov.ky and further visit www.gov.ky/news/noticeboard for all updates. Click here to find this release online: https://www.gov.ky/news/press-release-details/officials-respond-to-confirmed-school-case