Cromwell College has notified families and implemented a roster to keep various year groups of students at home for the remaining days of this week and next as covid-19 cases increase.

Principal Mason Stretch said the school had around 14 confirmed cases, mostly in the senior school. 

There are also a growing number of students out due to being household contacts, or awaiting test results.

“We have several staff away unwell and being tested. To ensure we can staff the majority of classes we have decided to continue with rostering home.

“The purpose of this is to release staff to cover for other staff who may be unwell, caring for others who are unwell, awaiting test results, test positive or are classed as a household contact.

“Our school has really good health measures in place. Students have been so responsible and supportive with mask wearing.

“I’ve been impressed with how students all across Aotearoa are managing in a challenging environment.”

The school plans to review the situation daily as cases increase and staff capacity is assessed. It looks likely that rostering home with continue into next week and beyond. 

Cromwell’s Goldfields Primary school has also confirmed positive covid-19 cases earlier this week.

The Ministry of Health total figures for the Southern district for the previous 24 hours are  835 new positive cases and 10,323 total cases (last 90 days).  

In Central Otago there were 45 new positive cases and a total of 285 cases yesterday. 

As of 11.59 pm March 11 the isolation period for COVID-19 cases and household contacts will reduce from ten days to seven days.  

Household contacts will need to have a rapid antigen test (RAT) on day three and day seven. 

If they become symptomatic during their 7-day isolation period, they will need an immediate RAT. 

If a household contact does not get any symptoms, they will need to return a negative rapid antigen test on day 7 at the end of their 7-day isolation period. 

If the household contact becomes a case, they will then start their 7 days of isolation as a case. 

If you are a household contact you can request RATs on behalf of all members of your household. You can request RATs at www.requestrats.covid19.health.nz There are now 48 collection sites across the Southern district. 

If you have any questions about COVID-19, self-isolation, or what you need to do if you test positive, please call Healthline on 0800 358 5453 .

If you are self-isolating and require welfare support such as help getting groceries, please call 0800 512 337. 

For information specific to COVID-19 in the Southern region and to find your nearest testing centre please call WellSouth on 0800 VIRUS19 (0800 847 8719).