A student at a secondary school in Lautoka who experienced COVID like symptoms last week has been cleared after tests conducted for COVID-19 returned negative.
The Ministry of Health has confirmed that the student fell ill while attending class, and protocols to treat a student presenting with COVID-19 symptoms in the school environment were immediately activated.
This includes isolating the student to the designated school sickbay, ensuring that the student was comfortable and providing the child with the necessary medical attention.
The Ministry says contact tracing and containment protocols were also initiated.
They say given the endemic nature of COVID-19 in Fiji, this is a scenario that is expected to occur again and the risk of secondary transmission from school settings will need ongoing mitigation.
Permanent Secretary, Doctor James Fong says the incident in Lautoka provided an opportunity to effectively follow the Safe School Reopening guidelines and test their response.
Doctor Fong says the school did well in abiding by the guidelines.
He adds as schools re-open, there will be some children who will experience and return positive COVID-19 results.
Doctor Fong has reminded students, parents and guardians that we are living with COVID-19 and we must all take responsibility for the safety of our loved ones.
The Permanent Secretary for Education Doctor Anjeela Jokhan says schools will continue to be vigilant in following COVID safe practices.
She says student safety is paramount as schools open for classes.
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