Co Kerry school closes as 17 cases of Covid-19 recorded

"It's our turn in Killorglin."

A Kerry school has been forced to close after 17 pupils tested positive for Covid-19. Students and teachers from Scoil Mhuire in Killorglin, Co Kerry have been asked to restrict their movements over the festive season following the biggest coronavirus outbreak in a school this year. The HSE has informed the parents of the school's 386 pupils, and over 20 staff, that they will now be tested for the virus. "Anyone in the school who had been confirmed [to have Covid] had been isolated, public health were notified and they jumped on board straight away," said local councillor John Francis Flynn. He told Newstsalk today that parents and teachers are "worried" about the outbreak, while also being aware of how Covid spreads in communities. "People understand we're living with Covid-19 since February now and people aren't blind to the fact that this is going on throughout the country," he said. "They understand that when it hits the community it spreads and unfortunately, it's our turn in Killorglin." Both students and staff of the school have been asked to restrict their movements until December 30, a move that will no doubt have implications for the Christmas plans of many families. Councillor Flynn said that although the outbreak occurred in a school he doesn't "want people to be complacent." "This is in our community and it's only a reflection now that is being seen in our school," he said. "We don't want people being careless over the next few days, we have to be aware this is very much in our community at the moment." Scoil Mhuire is in the constituency of the Minister for Education Norma Foley.