Loreto confirmed on Monday morning the student, whose parent was identified with the virus last week, remains clear but will remain in home isolation a full two weeks by which the whole family will be re-tested.

St Patrick's College sent an update to its families at the weekend that similarly a student had tested negative after their parent, too, had the virus. This student will also remain isolating with family until late next week when the boy will have another test before returning to school.

It is unknown whether the case relates to two separate parents or one parent with children at each St Pats and Loreto.

In a statement, Loreto will: "keep the family in our prayers as this has been a difficult time for them".

Under Victorian health department guidelines, Loreto and St Pats remain open with strict hygiene regulations and social distancing protocols in place.

Loreto staff and students are required to wear masks on school grounds from Monday after a school directive late Thursday. The college is also running classes to teach students and staff how to make masks.

St Pats staff and students encouraged to wear masks. Teachers may remove masks while teaching.

Damascus College has also directed staff and students to wear masks from Monday.

The Damascus school community has no known COVID-19 cases but staff started wearing masks on Thursday. Textile students are also helping to make cloth masks for students.

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