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ABC News
ABC News
Health

Education Department confident in COVID policies as the Riverland returns to school

This week has been the first for all students returning to face-to-face learning in South Australia.  (AAP: Dan Peled)

Schools in South Australia's Riverland have recorded at least 30 COVID-19 cases each week since the start of the school year.  

Students returned to school three weeks ago, however it is the first week of all students being back on campus for face-to-face learning.

Despite sparse numbers in classrooms while most students undertook home learning for the first two weeks of the term, schools in the Riverland recorded around 40 positive cases during week one and in the low 30s in week two. 

The figures account for students, teachers, and staff. 

Department of Education principal consultant Brenton Chapman said it was a low return for the 21 schools in the region. 

"They've been steady throughout the course of the week and we have a sprinkling of cases across all sites," he said. 

"If there's a positive case in the classroom all parents are notified … then it's a matter of parents monitoring children's symptoms."

SA's Department of Education says it's policies to protect students will help stop the disease spreading.  (ABC News: Danielle Bonica)

Department confident in school policies

There are no requirements for students to undergo testing before they go to school or undertake a testing regime if in the same class as a positive case. 

Mr Chapman said students can keep going to school if they are symptom free, even if they are deemed a close contact. 

He said if a child is positive, parents should keep the school updated on how the children is feeling and how symptoms are progressing. 

"We're getting great cooperation from families in terms of that communication to the school and being supportive of measures that are in place.

"It's really hard to tell what will happen in the coming weeks, but at the moment the signs are really positive."

Data shows many older Australians haven't had their booster
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