We received an update from the Infection Control Office last night. Because the infection is now so widespread, it does not make sense anymore for schools to notify parents, students and staff via the school channels each time a student or staff member tests positive. It you test positive (as a student or staff member), it is your own responsibility to notify your own close contacts – in other words, the people you have been close together with during the last 48 hours prior to the symptoms/testing time. https://www.helsenorge.no/koronavirus/karantene-og-isolasjon/#definisjon-p%C3%A5-n%C3%A6rkontakt-og-smittesporing We are ask parents to continue to inform the school office if their child tests positive, as we are required to inform the Infection Control Office at the end of each week on the total number of positive cases at Birralee. We will publish these week numbers on our website at the end of each week.
The complete message from the Infection Control Office in Trondheim is posted below.
(Trondheim Kommune's translation)
Transition to a new phase in the pandemic
Information to all parents and students
We are now moving into a new phase in the pandemic where infection tracing in schools and kindergartens is no longer expected to have an effect on the spreading of the infection.
Children/pupils/staff and schools/kindergartens that have had close contact with other children/pupils or staff who are infected do not have to take a test, nor do they have to go into quarantine.
Because the infection is so widespread it does not make any sense to notify parents, pupils or staff via the school/kindergarten each time a child, co-pupil or staff member tests positive.
Instead, we ask that all people who are other close contacts keep a close eye on their own symptoms and get tested if symptoms that suggest corona arise.
Tests can be picked up at the local authority’s delivery stations.
If you are infected, it is now your responsibility to notify your own close contacts – in other words, the people you have been close together with during the last 48 hours prior to the symptoms/testing time.
Positive rapid tests no longer need to be confirmed with a PCR test/saliva test
The following groups no longer need to follow-up a positive rapid test with a PCR test:
Anyone who has completed the vaccination programme and has had the third dose.
Anyone who has two doses and has had COVID-19 in the last three months.
Anyone who has had two doses, but has not had the third, can take the PCR test to confirm the rapid test if they want to do this for use on their corona certificate. When you have a positive test result from a rapid test, you must report this to the local authority via this link.
You will be asked to answer some questions. The answers will be used in our statistics so the local authority can have an overview of the spreading of the infection. Information added to the statistics is made anonymous. The local authority also has to report the number of positive rapid tests (without personal information) to the Directorate of Health each week.
Sickness absence due to corona is to be reported as an absence note to the school/kindergarten.
For updated information on the coronavirus translated into other languages, go to https://www.trondheim.kommune.no/aktuelt/corona-information/
Yours truly
The Infection Control Office in Trondheim
View of Trondheim, picture taken from the Year 9 clssroom on 31.01.2022 at 08:45