The principal of an Auckland school caught up in the latest Covid-19 outbreak says some families cannot get to testing centres because they do not have a car.
Avondale Covid-19 testing station in Auckland. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Lynfield College in west Auckland is a location of interest after a student tested positive for the virus.
All of the school's 1800 students and 200 staff are considered close contacts, so have to isolate and get multiple tests.
Lynfield College principal Cath Knell said that was a challenge for some whānau.
"Not all of them have a car, not all of them are in walking distance of a testing centre, so we are seeking the support of the Ministry of Health for families in that position," she said.
Knell wants health authorities to look at whether they can provide mobile testing or direct families to a GP.
Some families have also faced problems getting enough food while they isolate.
Everyone in a household is required to isolate until the person who is a close contact returns a negative day five test.
In a post on the school's Facebook page, it said there were about 15 families who were not able to get groceries and they put a call out for help.
Knell said there has been a big response from the community, with people picking up extra supplies and dropping them off to isolating families.
De La Salle College in Māngere East is also a location of interest after a student there tested positive for Covid-19.
Principal Myles Hogarty said so far there had not been any more confirmed cases, but there was still fear and uncertainty in the community.
He said the school's job was to reassure them and try and keep them calm.
"And make sure that they observe the self-isolation guidelines and rules that they have been given, we do not want this thing to spread."
De La Salle has about 1000 students and 90 staff.
Meanwhile, Green Bay High principal Fiona Barker said she was still waiting for updates after many of her school's 1600 students and 130 staff got tested yesterday.
They are also considered close contacts after a student there tested positive.
Ōtāhuhu College is the tenth school to be linked to the Delta outbreak.
A person was infectious while at the school last Monday and Tuesday, just before the country went in to lockdown.
All 1000 students, 120 staff and those they live with are now being asked to get a test and isolate at home.
Principal Neil Watson said there were a lot of large families living in small homes who would be under a lot of pressure.
He said the school was in the process of handing out laptops to help with remote learning, but this would have to be put on hold.
Several other schools have also been caught up in the outbreak, including Avondale College, Northcote College, Western Springs College, Pukekohe High School and McAuley High School.
