A Dublin primary school has sent home a class of students after one child tested positive for COVID-19.

The south Dublin school confirmed 30 students have been sent home as a precaution. The decision to close the class was taken on public health advice.

The school re-opened after almost six months on Wednesday.

It has confirmed to Newstalk that after just four days back in the classroom, all 30 pupils have been sent home.

The school said the pupil did not contract the virus through transmission on the premises.

The Education Minister Norma Foley arrives at Dublin Castle for a Cabinet meeting, 01-09-2020. Image: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews

This afternoon, the Education Minister Norma Foley said the case is now in the hands of public health officials.

“I acknowledge that where there is an incident in a school, the guidelines are very clear where there is a confirmed case, public health takes over,” she said.

“They do all the contacting – I wouldn’t place the burden on any principal or on any board of management or indeed staff within the school environment.

“So, our guidelines are very clear and indeed the public health guidelines which have also issued to schools are also very clear.”

Almost 500 students attend the school in 18 classes.

However only the affected class has been sent home.