A student at Te Akau ki Papamoa School has tested positive for Covid-19.

Parents and caregivers of the school's students were notified by email on Friday by Te Akau ki Papamoa School principal Bruce Jepsen.

'A confirmed case has been identified in our Te Akau ki Papamoa School community - one of our students,” writes Bruce in his email.

'We have been working closely with the public health service and Ministry of Education officials to guide our response.

'For health and safety reasons we will be moving to Tuhono distance learning. We will plan and
operationalize this once we are safe to do so. Please understand that this deployment will be different to ensure health and safety measures are met.”

Bruce says that all students who have been in close contact with the affected case would be contacted on Friday afternoon and asked to stay home and isolate.

'They will all receive direct instruction from the Ministry of Health regarding testing requirements and will not return to school until they have completed their isolation and testing requirements.”

Bruce asks that people refrain from using social media to speculate on the case or the whānau affected.

As you can imagine these are difficult times for them and it is important that we respect their right to privacy,” says Bruce.

'I realise that these are stressful times for everyone and encourage families to be pragmatic in their approach.

The school, located in Doncaster Drive, Pāpāmoa, is well-known for its strong emphasis on community relationships and positive learning environment.

Ministry of Health advise that the Te Akau ki Papamoa School community watch for any Covid symptoms.

'Please get vaccinated,” says Bruce in his email to parents and caregivers. 'If you or your whānau have not yet been vaccinated, please get vaccinated as soon as possible. If you have been identified as a close contact, please wait until your isolation period has finished before you get vaccinated.”

To book online for a vaccine go to www.bookmyvaccine.covid19.health.nz. There is
information on this website about finding your closest walk-in vaccination centre.

You can also go to www.healthpoint.co.nz/covid-19-vaccination or www.karawhiua.nz/all-clinics

Please watch for symptoms of COVID-19. If you develop any of the following symptoms, no matter how mild, ring Healthline on 08003585453 or your doctor, and get tested. Healthline is a free 24/7 service with interpreters available.

Common symptoms of Covid-19 are like those found with illnesses such as a cold or influenza.

You may have one or more of the following
● New or worsening cough
● Sneezing or runny nose
● Fever
● Temporary loss of smell or altered sense of taste
● Sore throat
● Shortness of breath.

Less common symptoms of Covid-19 may include:
● Diarrhoea
● Headache

● Muscle aches
● Nausea
● Vomiting
● Tiredness
● Chest pain
● Abdominal Pain
● Joint Pain
● Confusion or irritability.

These almost always occur with one or more of the common symptoms.

'The Ministry of Health will be in contact with me to guide us through further contact tracing procedures,” says Bruce.

'I will further update you all as further advice and guidance comes to hand from the Ministry of Health.”