Two Pupils in Two Different Schools Have Tested Positive for COVID-19: Classmates and Teachers Will be Tested

A young primary school pupil (Year 4) (CE2) from the François d'Assise - Nicolas Barré school in Monaco-Ville has tested positive for COVID-19. The young girl will remain in quarantine at her home for fourteen days.

In line with the health protocol observed by the Monegasque authorities, the teacher and 24 pupils in the class who were in contact with the pupil will undergo PCR screening (taking a nasal sample to find out whether the patient is infected at the time of taking the sample). Details of this testing were communicated to the families and individuals concerned late yesterday afternoon.

At the Collège Charles III secondary school, a Year 7 (Sixième) pupil has tested positive for COVID-19. Here too, teachers and students who have been in contact with the pupil will be offered a PCR test. The parents were contacted yesterday evening by the school management and given details of the screening process.

Even if positive, these two pupils are considered by the health experts as "negligible risk contacts," since, like their classmates and teachers, they were wearing masks in class and complied with all the barrier measures. The risk of contamination is therefore very low.

The respective Heads of the two schools have announced that lessons will continue in both classes, with increased barrier measures. In practical terms, social distancing will be increased and there will be improved hand hygiene and a strict obligation to use only one's own personal items.

In parallel with these precautionary health measures, each pupil's temperature will be taken twice a day in both classes for the next 14 days, which is the potential incubation period of the virus.
The Prince's Government recalls that it is compulsory for all school staff and all pupils over the age of five to wear a mask.