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A student at Maungatapu School in Tauranga has tested positive for Covid-19.
Maungatapu School principal Tane Bennett said on the primary school's Facebook page it had been notified of the case within the school community this afternoon.
"Today we received the news that no school wanted to receive, that we have a confirmed Covid -19 case amongst one of our students."
The child was infectious at Maungatapu School from Friday, December 3, when they were at school.
"Those that were in close contact with the case have been provided the appropriate public health advice including testing and isolation requirements."
"Based on international and local evidence and experience, the risk of Covid-19 transmission within school settings is considered low. This means that it is no longer necessary for the school to immediately close when a case has been identified as infectious while at school. Maungatapu School is staying open at this time."
Bennett also implored people to get vaccinated as soon as possible, unless they were identified as a contact of the case and self-isolating.
In an earlier Facebook post announcing the case, Bennett said: "The health and wellbeing of our children, staff and community is a top priority."
Earlier today the Government announced there were eight new cases in the Bay of Plenty. All of the Bay's cases were from the Tauranga area with one person in the hospital.
The total number of active cases in the Bay of Plenty is 80. The Bay of Plenty tally includes a positive Covid-19 case at Brookfield School yesterday which involved a student at home self-isolating.
In a post to the school's Facebook page, principal Ngaere Durie said staff and students from Room 10 and Room 11 who attended a trip to Waihī were considered close contacts.
Te Akau Ki School in Pāpāmoa confirmed on Tuesday it would be open for distance learning only until the end of the term on December 14.
It came after five members of the school community tested positive for Covid-19, including a student. All students and staff members were considered close contacts.
Principal Bruce Jepsen said about 10 per cent of close contacts at the school had not yet been tested and a medical officer of health had confirmed there was a significant health risk if students returned to school.
"We have provided all our students with a device and resources to learn from home," Jepsen said.
"I understand that this will create childcare challenges for some parents and caregivers but at the heart of the decision is safety and wellbeing of all our tamariki and school community."
Tenpin Tauranga 'high risk' location of interest
Tenpin Tauranga on Thirteenth Avenue has been named as a high risk location of interest.
Anyone there on November 30 between 10.45 am and 2pm needs to self-isolate, test immediately and on day 5 after you were exposed at this location of interest.
Tenpin Tauranga duty manager Dayna Haylock said they were still operating as normal despite being named as a location of interest.
"I'm a little bit nervous but there's not too much you can really do. It's just one of those things you've just got to carry on with life and I'm just hoping it doesn't affect our business too much.
"No-one is able to enter without [the vaccine pass], masks are mandatory, we're still social distancing when we can."
Other new Tauranga locations of interest have been announced.
The Warehouse Cameron Rd on November 30 between 5.15pm and 6.30pm. Self monitor.
Others are Fourteenth Avenue Dairy on November 30 from 1pm to 3pm, and Pak n' Save, Cameron Rd, that same day from 6.15pm to 8.15pm.
People who were at the locations of interest in the specified times are urged to self-isolate and get a Covid test immediately.
The Ministry of Health has advised people who were at this location during those times to self-isolate and get a Covid test immediately.
They are also urged to record their visit on the Ministry of Health's website or call Healthline on 0800 611 116 so contact tracers can be in touch.
Locations of interest
December 8 update:
Countdown Fairy Springs Rotorua. November 30. 6pm - 9pm.
Self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms for 10 days after you were exposed. If symptoms develop, get a test and stay at home until you get a negative test result.
December 7:
Tenpin Tauranga. November 30.10.45 am - 2pm. Self-isolate The Warehouse Cameron Rd. November 30. 5.15pm and 6.30pm. Self monitor. Fourteenth Avenue Dairy. November 30. 1pm to 3pm. Pak n' Save, Cameron Rd. November 30. 6.15pm to 8.15pm.
High risk: Tauranga Central Police Station. Sunday December 5. 2.44pm-3pm: Self-isolate, test immediately and on day five.
December 5 update
Tauranga and Mount Maunganui
St Mary's Anglican Church Mt Maunganui: December 1 between 10.30am and 1.45pm
New World Gate Pa: December 1 between 1.15pm and 4pm.
PaK'nSave Cameron Rd Tauranga: December 1 between 1.15pm and 4pm.
Anyone who visited these locations of interest must self-monitor for Covid-19 symptoms for 10 days after being exposed at these locations of interest. If symptoms develop, get a test and stay at home until you get a negative test result AND until 24 hours after symptoms resolve.
Bunnings Warehouse, Mt Maunganui: November 30 between 9.45am and 11am.
Paper Plus Pāpāmoa Plaza: December 1 between 12.45pm and 2.15pm
Life Pharmacy Bayfair, Mount Maunganui: November 30 between 10.15am and 12.30pm
Bayfair Shopping Centre, Mount Maunganui: November 30 between 10.15am and 12.30pm
Mecca Maxima Bayfair, Mount Maunganui: November 30 between 10.15am and 12.30pm
Anyone who visited these locations of interest must self-monitor for Covid-19 symptoms for 10 days after being exposed at these locations of interest. If symptoms develop, get a test and stay at home until you get a negative test result AND until 24 hours after symptoms resolve.
