THREE Hunter schools have closed effective immediately for cleaning and contact tracing after links to COVID cases, the NSW Department of Education has confirmed.
Thornton Public School, Irrawang Public School, Mayfield West Public School will not open on Monday, with all staff and students urged to self-isolate and follow the NSW Health advice and protocols.
It comes as the NSW return to school hits high gear, with all students from Years two to 11 scheduled to head back to the classroom from Monday.
Their colleagues in year 12, kindergarten and year one returned last week.
Anyone linked to the schools who has been unwell, or who may develop symptoms in the coming days, should undergo a COVID test.
The Hunter added 53 fresh cases on Sunday.
Symptoms to watch for include a fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, loss of smell/taste, muscle/joint pains, diarrhoea, nausea/vomiting or extreme tiredness.
Separately, health authorities have flagged Windale Community Medical Centre as a COVID exposure site on Wednesday October 20 from 4.10pm to 4.55pm.
Anyone who attended during that period is a casual contact.
That means they must get tested and isolate until a negative test is received.
