Close contact Regional members of the Irish Second Level Studentsâ Union say many students have expressed worry about contracting Covid-19 or being categorised as a close contact through no fault of their own. Eva McDonnell, a sixth-year student and regional officer based in Ballintemple in Cork, said it was a frequent topic of conversation. She said her chosen course has very high points which are likely to rise higher still this year. âIâm terrified of contracting Covid-19 beforehand. Iâve put so much work into these exams, and I donât want to see that go to waste. Iâd be devastated if I realised that those hours of study and piles of biology flashcards were all for nothing.â