Over 20 students are isolating after a pupil at a secondary school became ill with Covid-19.
A positive case of the virus has been confirmed at St Mel's College in Co Longford.
The student contracted the bug via community transmission.
A full risk assessment has been carried out by the Department of Public Health and all children who are close contacts of the student have identified.
A class of 23 students is now isolating as a result and close contacts have been asked to get tested.
All parents were notified this morning with those who were not identified as close contacts free to attend school as normal.
Principal Declan Rowley confirmed to The Longford Leader that the pupil had not contracted Covid-19 at school.
He said: "We've been working with the HSE in relation to contact tracing and all contacts will be isolating.
"Basically the case came from the community. We have a very good protective system in place in St Mel's but this was always going to happen. Schools were always going to get it.
"The HSE have been on the ball. They have acted very quickly and have been guiding us through it.
"This is our first case and it probably won't be our last. This was always going to happen."
A letter from the Department of Public Health Midlands advises parents to be vigilant for any signs or symptoms of Covid-19 in their children until October 6 and to make sure they are contactable by phone in the event of any new information.
If a child develops symptoms, parents are asked to isolate them at home and contact a GP. The rest of the household should restrict their movements at this time.
