Positive Case of COVID-19 among the school community
- Published: 15 October 2020
When there is a positive case among the school community, school leaders are often pressed for information or advice. In such scenarios, they should be guided by the following principles:
School Leaders are not doctors: They are not qualified to give medical advice or opinions. Professional medical advice should always be sought where there is a lack of clarity around HSE advice in a given situation. The person with the query should be referred to the HSE FAQs in the first instance and thereafter to their own GP.
School leaders are not permitted to reveal the identities of persons who have tested positive for COVID-19. Those who try to pressure them into revealing such information should be referred to the IPPN General Letter Template, approved by Public Health, which most schools have already sent to members of their school communities. The letter can be downloaded here. This letter makes it clear that if, based on questioning the person with the positive result, that person was not in the school when they contracted the virus, Public Health officials may not need to contact the school. Additionally, a school leader might consider discussing the issue with staff as the opportunity presents (staff meeting, Croke Park etc.) to clarify it with them.
School leaders might share the burden of inordinate pressure with the Chairperson of their BoM. The BoM could consider the option of issuing a clarification that the principal is following all medical and ethical guidelines. This shows that the principal has the support of the BoM and helps de-personalise the issue. School leaders might discuss this option in advance with their Chairperson or at a BoM meeting.
The contact numbers of your local HSE / Public Health office is available to download here
