Tahatai Coast School in Papamoa will be closed on Friday due to the strong possibility of a positive Covid-19 result from within the school community.

The school, which is located in Evans Rd, was notified of the case on Thursday afternoon by the Ministry of Health and will be closed tomorrow to enable testing for all students, staff and parents.

The principal of Tahatai Coast School Matt Skilton published a notice to the school's website on Thursday evening.

'This afternoon we received information from the Ministry of Health that there is a strong likelihood of a positive Covid-19 result within our Tahatai Coast School community,” writes Matt.

'It is times like this that we have been preparing for and I know we can work through this together.”

Matt says that they are receiving full assistance and guidance from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education.

'They are continually keeping in regular contact, and as more information becomes available, it will be shared with you,” writes Matt.

'Tomorrow, Friday 19th November Tahatai Coast School will be closed.

'Closing the school is to enable testing to occur for all students and yourselves.”

Matt says the Ministry of Health's advice is for everybody to be tested.

A testing station will be in operation specifically for Tahatai Whānau tomorrow.

'This will be located in the 'Kiss'n'Go' area at the front of Tahatai Coast School from 9am – 6pm.”

Alternative testing locations can be found on the Healthpoint website at www.healthpoint.co.nz.

As more information comes to hand, close contacts will be contacted by the Ministry of Health.
'We are a large school and we can assume there will be a long wait while at testing stations tomorrow and across the weekend,” says Matt to his school community.

'I know you will all support each other as well as the medical staff. As adults, I highly encourage you to stay calm and relaxed for the health and mental wellbeing of your child/children. Further information will be shared as it comes to hand.”

Tahatai Coast School. Photo: Supplied.

For available testing sites, including GP services, see the Healthpoint website: https://www.healthpoint.co.nz/covid-19.

Additional testing is also available at a number of sites in Tauranga and Mount Maunganui this week, including:

Tauranga Race Course, 1383 Cameron Road: Friday 10:00am – 6:00pm, Saturday 10:00am – 4:00pm

100 First Ave, Tauranga central: Monday to Friday 8:00am – 4:00pm

Mount Sports Centre, corner of Maunganui and Hull Roads: Thursday & Friday 10:00am – 6:00pm, Saturday 10:00am – 4:00pm.

Testing is also available at other sites around the Bay of Plenty:

Whakatāne Med Central Portacom, 52B King Street: Monday to Saturday 10:00am – 4:00pm

Murupara, Koromiko Street: Monday to Friday 10:00am – 4:00pm.

Location details for vaccination centres can be also found on the Healthpoint website: https://www.healthpoint.co.nz/covid-19-vaccination/bay-of-plenty/.

Symptoms of COVID-19 include: a new or worsening cough, sneezing and runny nose, fever, temporary loss of smell or altered sense of taste, sore throat, and shortness of breath.