The Department of Health has advised us that today's new Covid-19 infections include a number of students and staff at Al-Taqwa College.
These children and adults were tested after we were notified of an initial Covid infection contracted by one of our teachers. Hundreds of tests have been conducted so far of Al-Taqwa staff, students and families.
We are working with those who have tested positive to ensure they, and their families, are supported and have access to the help and services they need while they isolate and recover. Our thoughts and prayers are with them, and we ask that their privacy be respected.
We are also bracing ourselves for more Covid-positive tests in the Al-Taqwa community. We are, however, cautiously optimistic that the prompt action taken since we were first notified on Wednesday afternoon of an Al-Taqwa teacher testing positive, involving the College and the Department of Health working very closely together, will contain the spread of the virus.
Since we were notified of the first case on Wednesday, we have had daily briefings and constant two-way communication with the Department of Health and Western Health, sharing information and advice, and Jeroen Weimar and his Covid emergency response team have been participating in multiple Zoom sessions with Al-Taqwa parents and staff to assist us in getting through what is already a difficult fortnight.
We also welcome the pop-up test and vaccination station set up at the College by the Department. If they don't show symptoms, we are also encouraging people to get vaccinated.
The College is deeply grateful not to only the Department of Health's crisis team, but to all those working with us. Together, we are applying the many lessons we learned from our Covid experiences of 2020, and, although lightning has struck us twice, these lessons are helping all of us to work far better and smarter to contain the spread of the virus through ours and the wider community.
But, most importantly, the spread can only be contained by the willing co-operation of Al-Taqwa staff, students and families in following the Government's health advice to self-isolate and home quarantine for 14 days, including returning to online learning. We know this is very difficult for many families, and are deeply grateful to them. The College's own dedicated staff and student well-being teams are contacting those families and working hard to support them.
The College knows this is a difficult time for not just us but all Victorians. We are especially grateful for the many messages of encouragement and support we have received from Victorians from all walks of life, cultures and faiths, and thank everyone for their kindness and understanding. It is hard to express how much that means to our community.
We also offer our active support to all other Victorian schools affected by Covid-19 in this current outbreak. These are tough times, and by pulling together we will get through this.
