Sunraysia school staff tests clear of coronavirus

MORE than 200 teachers and school staff across Sunraysia have been tested for COVID-19 thanks to Sunraysia Community Health Services (SCHS).

Testing took place on seven mornings up until Tuesday and yielded no positive results.

SCHS clinic programs manager Shelley Faulks said 224 people took part in the screening.

“We weren’t sure what sort of response we would get,” she said.

“We were hoping our school staff would embrace the opportunity to have the screening done so we were very, very pleased with the response.”

The testing blitz was a Victorian Government initiative in which school staff were urged to get tested before returning to face-to-face learning on Tuesday.

No testing blitz is being carried out in the state but people with symptoms of COVID-19 are strongly encouraged to contact SCHS and arrange a test.

“We’re still encouraging everybody who does have acute respiratory symptoms, no matter how mild, to phone through to our hotline,” Ms Faulks said.

“In line with what our Chief Medical Officer is telling us, I think it’s really important people continue to get tested.

“We do know that many people present with very, very mild symptoms but that doesn’t mean they couldn’t pass that on to someone else.”

With restrictions set to ease more on Monday, Ms Faulks believes it is still important for people to exercise common sense, maintain good hygiene and practise social distancing.

“Don’t just think that because the restrictions have lifted slightly we can go back to what was normal before the virus,” she said.

Anyone experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or who has been in contact with someone who has the virus should call SCHS on 5021 7653 to book an appointment.

COVID-19 symptoms

– Fever

– Chills or sweats

– Cough

– Sore throat

– Shortness of breath

– Runny nose

– Loss of smell