Reporting by Sinead Aherne and Aoife Kearns
There is not a Covid-19 outbreak at De La Salle College in Waterford City according to the secondary school's principal.
The HSE notified the school of one confirmed case, and all necessary guidelines have been followed.
It comes following some reports that there were two cases at the secondary school.
Speaking to WLR, Principal of De La Salle College Mick Walsh said: " I believe it has been circulated in some sections of the media that there are two cases and I would be confident the HSE would inform us before they inform the media.
"Using the HSE language with regards to the word "outbreak" we do not have an outbreak in the school, " the Principal said.
Classes for sixth years at the moment are set to continue and they plan to welcome back 5th-year students next week.
"Teachers are doing their best to include students who are self-isolating in all elements of their classes. This is difficult for some of the practical components of different subjects.
"Great credit is due to our teachers who in spite of enormous pressures relating to the Leaving Certificate continue to support students and upskill themselves to meet every challenge," Walsh said.
The Principal acknowledged how difficult the past few months have been for students and parents.
"Credit is also due to the students themselves who are getting information from the Department of Education in a drip-feed manner and are also getting conflicting information
"Not to forget the parents, who are holding it all together for their sons in extremely anxious times," Principal Mick Walsh said.
Leaving Cert students and the first four years of primary school were the first to go back to school since the Christmas break on March 1st.
