Border and North East schools receive COVID advice, purifiers in some cases

More than 30 schools closed during the height of our recent outbreak, and many continue to manage close contacts.

In September, Victorian Education Minister James Merlino said "ventilation, vaccination and vital COVIDSafe measures" would be critical to ensuring schools stay open throughout term four.

Just under 39,000 air purifiers from Samsung were expected to be received by Christmas.

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"The roll-out of the purifiers has been progressive from the start of Term Four, given the global demand for these devices," a spokesman said.

"Schools in hotspot areas were prioritised."

While the Department did not detail the progress in the North East, six air purifies were received at the Wodonga Senior Secondary and Middle Years colleges.

Executive principal Vern Hilditch, whose schools have not had a case for two weeks, said they were used during VCE exams.

"They have been moved to rooms with the least ventilation or high numbers of students," he said.

"There's a range of other things that will happen ... the major one was air purification."

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On the NSW side, ventilation audits were done.

Albury High School, for example, was recommended to use a one-person-per-four-square-metres density in most offices.

A NSW Department of Education spokeswoman said almost 2000 learning spaces were set to receive permanent automatic fresh air ventilation systems.

"All public schools in Albury were found to have sufficient ventilation, and as such, no permanent remediation works are required to ensure the safety of students and staff at these schools," she said.

"Ventilation is only one COVID safe measure in NSW public schools. Vaccinations, cohorting, restricted access and mask wearing all play an important role in keeping students safe."

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