19 August 2021
Dear Parent, Caregiver, Staff Member,
An update for Avondale College – testing site at Avondale Racecourse
Further to our letter yesterday about the staff member confirmed as having COVID-19, we would like to update you with some important information.
While all staff and students must stay in self-isolation at home for 14 days, it is important that everyone at the school is tested. Anyone with symptoms (listed below) should get a test immediately. All close contacts will also need to have further tests on Monday 23 August and Sunday 29 August.
There is a testing centre at Avondale Race Course, 22 Ash Road, for Avondale College students, whanau and staff. This is open from 9am – 4.30 tomorrow (Friday 20th August) and from 8.30 – 4.30 on Saturday 21st August 2021.
The new testing centre is for the school community only, so will help to alleviate some of the frustration experienced when trying to get a test. Please give the following code to the testing staff when you visit: SURV- TM18SC1. The information on other testing centres is here.
Family members now also need to stay home until Sunday 22nd August, until the student or staff in their household has had a negative test result. This is now required because of updated information from the Ministry of Health.
Students and staff do need to complete the 14-day self-isolation, and have negative test results, before they can leave their homes, even if New Zealand’s national alert level changes from the current Level 4.
Everyone in the school community is also asked to watch for symptoms of COVID-19. These can include one or more of the following:
sneezing and runny nose
a new or worsening cough
sore throat
a fever of at least 38°C
shortness of breath
temporary loss of smell or altered sense of taste
diarrhoea
headache
muscle pain or body aches
nausea and vomiting.
Please get tested and call Healthline: 0800 358 5453 (a free, 24/7 service with interpreters available) if you have any symptoms.
Medical Officers of Health can require people who may have been exposed to a notifiable disease, such as COVID-19 to isolate, get tested or seek medical attention. These powers are outlined under Section 70 of the Health Act, so are called Section 70 orders. These orders are for purpose of preventing spread of COVID-19.
More information for close contacts is at www.arphs.health.nz or www.covid19.govt.nz.
Thank you for your support.
Yours sincerely Medical Officer of Health Auckland Regional Public Health Service