03 Feb 2020
We at KHS are actively working to ensure our students and staff are learning in a safe environment.
The Principal is currently working with the Department of Education to monitor and respond to the unfolding international novel coronavirus situation. The school is actively working to limit any exposure of the virus to our school. Ms Sofo has been in communication with students known to have travelled to China during this time and is following the Department of Education recommendations. In the interest of prioritising the health and welfare of our students and our community, the following protocols will be in place to start the new year.
Current advice from the Australian Government Department of Health for parents and affected staff is:
• People who have been in contact with any confirmed Novel Coronavirus cases must be isolated in their home for 14 days following exposure;
• Returned travellers who have been in Hubei Province of China must be isolated in their home for 14 days after leaving Hubei Province, other than for seeking individual medical care.
Students and staff currently excluded from school are those who:
• over the last 14 days has visited the province of Hubei in central China. They should not return to school or child care services for a period of 14 days after leaving China, as the coronavirus’ incubation period can be as long as two weeks or
• are under medical assessment or
• have been diagnosed with the Novel Coronavirus or
• have had close contact with a confirmed case of the Novel Coronavirus. The Ministry of Health has processes in place to identify any close contacts of cases confirmed in Australia.
In addition The NSW Ministry of Health and NSW Department of Education have recommended that:
• Any student or staff member who was in China, including Hong Kong but excluding the province of Hubei over the past 14 days is recommended not attend school or child care services for a period of 14 days after leaving Hubei Province, as the Novel Coronavirus’ incubation period can be as long as two weeks.
Students who returned to Australia more than 14 days ago and have shown no symptoms are able to return to school this week.
There has been a small number of cases of confirmed Novel Coronavirus in New South Wales.
The Ministry of Health has processes in place to identify any close contacts of cases confirmed in Australia. Advice about not attending school would be provided to these close contacts by the Ministry of Health.
Consistent with current guidelines, staff and students who are unwell with respiratory illness should remain at home until symptoms resolve. In accordance with our current practice if any child becomes unwell we will implement our infection control guidelines and follow the advice provided by the Ministry of Health as appropriate.
The Principal will continue to monitor the situation closely and take advice received from NSW Ministry of Health and NSW Department of Education to ensure KHS is responding to the situation appropriately.
The Infection Control guidelines are available on the website at https://education.nsw.gov.au/.../risk-manag.../infection-control
NSW Health has information available on its website https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/.../aler.../Pages/coronavirus.aspx
Further information from AHPPC
Thank you for your support in this matter.