Coronavirus: Letter sent to parents of Auckland's Westlake Girls' High School students after second case

Parents and caregivers of students at Auckland's Westlake Girls' High School have been reassured in a letter from the principal after the mother of a student contracted Covid-19.

An Auckland woman was this morning announced as the second Kiwi case of Covid-19.

In her letter principal Jane Stanley confirmed the woman's two children attend Westlake Girls' and Westlake Boys' high schools on the North Shore.

"Both schools are taking advice from the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health who assure us that the two students do not have any symptoms, are in self-isolation, and that there is no risk to students or staff at either school.

"Therefore, our expectation is that all students will be at school."

Stanley attached a letter from Auckland Regional Public Health to reassure parents and caregivers that there was no risk.

"While this is concerning for everyone, there is no risk to students, staff or others at the schools," the letter reads.

It stated the two children were not contagious and the parents hadn't been to the school since arriving back in New Zealand from northern Italy.

"The children are completely well and displaying no symptoms. They are now staying home as a precaution, in case they develop the disease in the future."

While acknowledging there may be "high levels of anxiety amongst parents and students", the letter stated the facts about how the virus could be spread.

"People are not considered at risk if they have been close to a contact - as the contact does not have the disease. Contacts of contacts do not have to take any action such as isolating themselves."

Families were warned about the negative impacts that could occur from posting information on social media

"Please explain to your children that the students do not have Covid-19, and that they have not exposed anyone else to this virus. Please ask them not to post any information on social media as this could lead to bullying."

Westlake Boys' High School principal David Ferguson said it was a "shock" to receive the news this morning.

The school was contacted by the Ministry of Health soon after 9am, followed by a briefing from the ministry and Auckland Regional Public Health.

"We have been relying strongly on their medical advice. They have reassured us there is no cause for alarm, and that the school should stay open."

Parents of Westlake Boys' High School students however expressed concern at the news.

One parent said her son had a relatively low immune system, and easily caught colds.

"I have a lot of concerns, but I've been told the school won't authorise my son to stay home. It is not very comforting, but we will discuss it as a family and if we feel he is at risk we won't take him to school."

Ferguson told the Herald while the school was not advising it, ultimately it would be a parent's decision if they wanted to keep their child at home.

Another parent said while it was "worrying", she was happy with the school's response.

"There is nothing much we can do. School is going on as usual, and we are happy with their response and communication."

There are currently 74 countries with confirmed cases of coronavirus - the worst-hit countries are China with 80,000 cases, ranging down to Republic of Korea, Iran, then Italy with just over 2000 cases.