The latest figures from public health officials on gastro -related issues are as follows:
13 patients remained on hospital wards as at 4pm this afternoon. That’s down from 17 this morning, with one patient remaining in ICU.
The Emergency Department has had 10 gastro related presentations today, with St John reporting 5 alerts.
Messages concerning return to Havelock North schools
Havelock North school communities came together this afternoon for a meeting with Public Health officials, Hawke's Bay District Council, Boards and Principals of all schools.
Based on best advice and the ability for young children to adhere to the required hygiene standards, a decision was made that Havelock North Primary, Te Mata Primary, Lucknow Primary, Havelock North Intermediate and Hereworth School will remain closed until Monday 22nd August 2016.
Given the older age of students, Havelock North High School, Woodford and Iona will re-open Thursday 18th August. A joint statement from the schools has reinforced that students must be free from symptoms for 48 hours before returning to school to minimise further risk to students and their families.
Water supply safety being worked on by Hastings District Council, with testing continuing
The Boil Water notice continues, so schools will need to be able to supply water for drinking and hygiene. Water is now chlorinated so this will eliminate campylobacter from the drinking water supply. Testing for cryptosporidium is still pending.
When schools do reopen they need to:
- Ensure that students need to have been free of symptoms (diarrhoea) for 2 complete days (48 hours) before returning to school
- Ensure that any students who show any sign of diarrhoea or vomiting or abdominal pain or nausea are isolated until they can be sent home.
- Ensure they have adequate hand hygiene procedures. This includes:
o Training for and supervision of hand hygiene for children after using the toilet and during class. Reinforce messages of washing with (clean / chlorinated) water and soap with thorough hand drying on disposable (paper) towels followed by use of hand sanitiser (alcohol-based).
o More frequent cleaning of toilets/bathrooms and classroom surfaces during the day (not just after school). This needs to include sanitising with a chlorine bleach solution.
o Readily accessible supplies of hand sanitiser - Ensure they have a reliable and safe drinking water supply (this currently includes following the Boil Water notice). This can be achieved by boiling and then cooling drinking water or using a safe source such as tankered water (which is being provided for schools) or bottled water.
Schools need to be aware that symptoms can recur several days after the diarrhoea settles.
The main risk for the next week or so is secondary cases with spread from people who have been ill. Campylobacter can’t be spread through the air but it can be spread if you swallow the bacteria. This may be from contaminated water and food, or from contact with infected people, so hand washing is extremely important.
The Ministry of Health has useful links here: http://www.health.govt.nz/
People can also call Healthline on 0800 611 116 for advice 24/7 from a trained registered nurse.
For information on the water supply contact Hastings District Council call 06 871 5000
General messages to parents
- Recognise the strain families have been under with sick children and children who have been off school this week even though they are well
- Very important that children don’t return to school until they have been free of symptoms of diarrhoea or vomiting for 2 clear days (48 hours). This means if they last had any symptoms on Wednesday Thursday the child should not return to school until Monday.
- Children who have had symptoms should not go to a swimming pool for at least 2 weeks after symptoms have gone.
