Orange High School has confirmed a Year 8 student has tested positive for COVID-19.
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Year 8 students have been asked to self-isolate as a precautionary measure to avoid any potential transmission of the virus.
The school confirmed the news in an announcement on Tuesday, December 1, which included directions received from NSW Health, outlining the assessment of the situation, and advised students and parents in other year groups there was "no requirement to cease school operations".
Students sitting their HSC exams have been advised that exams will continue as planned.
- READ MORE: No new deaths in NSW as 271 COVID-19 cases
Over in Cabonne, Molong Central School joined St Joseph's Primary School in enforcing immediate school closure on Wednesday, December 1, due to confirmed COVID cases having spanned across both schools.
MCS grounds underwent COVID-safe cleaning, resuming classes Thursday, December 2, while St Joseph's students and parents continue with remote learning for an indefinite period until more information comes to light.
Regardless of vaccination status, students have been told they are not to return to school until 14 days after the last date of exposure and have been directed to undergo three rounds of overall testing; on day one, day six and day 12.
For double-vaccinated students (12 years and over), self-isolation has been directed for a seven-day period since the last date of exposure. A negative result returned from day six of testing - with no COVID symptoms - warrants the end of the self-isolation period for these students.
For non-vaccinated students, it has been directed by NSW Health they can cease self-isolation only after 14 days from the date of exposure. A negative result returned from day 12 of testing - with no COVID symptoms - warrants the end of the self-isolation period for these students.
The alternative to these options, as outlined in a letter to parents of St Joseph's Primary School in Molong, warrants the return to on-site school attendance under the proviso students undergo Rapid Antigen Home Tests (RAHT) for a period of seven days.
RAHT kits will be provided by the school, where the status of ongoing attendance would be determined based on the return of a negative test result each day.
Outside of school hours during this period, students would still be required to self-isolate during the aforementioned periods.
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