The Department of Education has issued the following definition of ‘close contact in an educational setting’. It has also issued information to schools on a HSE live Covid-19 Principal school line, dedicated HSE school teams and dedicated testing of close contacts from a school when there is a positive case.
Definition of a close contact in an educational setting
The Department is aware that the schools have sought clarity regarding the definition of a close contact in an educational setting. The Department has asked for clarify, and the HPSC, the agency with responsibility for this matter, has published the following definition of a close contact in an educational setting, as set out below. This has been published on their website. The Department of Education does not have a role in this process.
As per current HPSC close contacts guidelines a clinical Public Health Risk Assessment (PHRA) will be undertaken for all educational settings where a confirmed case has attended whilst infectious. This PHRA will determine the close contacts.
Close contacts definition:
- Any person who has had face to face contact within less than 1 metre with a confirmed case of COVID-19 for >15 minutes in a school day.
- Any person who has been between 1 and 2 metres from a confirmed case of Covid-19 for >15 minutes in a school day with consideration of other mitigation measures e.g. face-coverings, pods, ventilation, IPC measures or uncertain compliance with mitigation measures in place (assessed through clinical PHRA)
Contacts are assessed from contact with a confirmed case of Covid-19 during their infectious period - 48 hours before the onset of symptoms if symptomatic, or 24 hours before the test for Covid-19 was taken in those who are asymptomatic.
It is important to note that the response to confirmed cases or outbreaks of Covid-19 in the community or in a school is the responsibility of, and will be led and managed by, Public Health HSE. All decisions as to appropriate actions following a confirmed case or outbreak will be made by their teams in the context of a full Public Health Risk Assessment procedure.
It is the view of Public Health that the evidence available to date shows that schools are proving to be safe spaces for children and for the staff.
Schools are working hard to implement the public health advice which is proving to be effective in keeping transmission levels in schools so low. It is really important this advice, and adherence to the recommended public health measures e.g. use of face-coverings, hand hygiene, physical distancing are re-enforced at the start of the new half-term. This is especially required for break times and the staff room as well as for classes. All recommendations are being kept under review by consultants / specialists in Public Health Medicine as we continue to deal with the ongoing pandemic.
The Department will continue to work closely with all of the education partners and the public health system so that schools can continue to be supported in this very challenging time.