By Jessica Anstice
A Pakenham school will close for 24 hours after two students tested positive to coronavirus.
All students and staff members from Pakenham Springs Primary School were asked to remain at home following advice from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) on Monday 15 June.
DHHS has established that the two students have been confirmed contacts of a Coburg cluster.
Victoria’s Chief Health Officer, professor Brett Sutton, said a total of 11 people had been linked to a Coburg cluster, as of Monday.
He said households in Pakenham, Coburg and Broadmeadows had so far been linked to the cluster.
In a notice to parents and guardians, the school stated that the two students who tested positive to the virus are from the same family.
The closure will allow time for DHHS to undertake thorough cleaning as well as a full risk assessment.
Close contacts of the two students will be notified by DHHS over the next 24 hours.
Further investigations are being undertaken this morning by DHHS, the school and the Department of Education and Training to identify whether any staff or students are required to self-isolate, and to determine any further actions required to reduce the risk of infection.
On behalf of the school, a DHHS spokesperson wished the students a speedy recovery and looks forward to welcoming the two students back once they’ve recovered.
