By Regan Tate

YMCA Before and After School Program impacted

COVID 19 positive results linked to Medicine Hat schools

Oct 5, 2020 | 7:44 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — There is one positive case of COVID-19 linked to schools in Medicine Hat.

The case was confirmed in an adult support worker who worked at both Elm Street School and at Herald School in the YMCA Before and After School care program.

This is the release posted on the Herald School website regarding a case detected through the Before and After School program through the YMCA;

At 10:00 p.m. on October 4 we received notice that the Before and After School Program through the YMCA will be suspended for 14 days. There has been a positive COVID-19 test result with someone who has been in contact with the Herald Before and After School Program.

Any student that is enrolled in the Before and After School Program and attended on September 25, 28 or 30 (either in the morning or afternoon) must stay home from school until they receive communication from Alberta Health Services.

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The health and safety of our students and staff is our priority and we understand that this public health directive is an inconvenience; your patience is greatly appreciated. We are confident that AHS will work together with the YMCA to communicate with families effectively and efficiently to provide more information and direction.

There has also been a case identified in a grade 5 students from Elm Street School. The following is the information that was posted on the school website last night:

A case of COVID-19 has been diagnosed in an individual connected to Ms. Weisgerber and Mr. Flieger grade 5 class at Elm Street School. We are working closely with Alberta Health Services (AHS) to ensure necessary measures are in place to keep all students and staff safe; they are confident that we can welcome students back to Elm Street School. Our thoughts remain with this individual and their family, we wish them a safe and speedy recovery.

If you have children in other classes, the exposure was limited to the grade 5 classroom and we are confident that based on AHS guidance that students can attend school safely.

AHS Communicable Disease Investigators are working to determine close contacts of the case. Individuals who AHS deem to be a close contact will be required to quarantine at home until they are cleared by Investigators. Alberta Health Services is in the process of contacting parents/guardians of students, as well as any staff/visitors/volunteers who may have been in close contact with the case. Those who have not received a notice of close contact are welcome to attend school. Siblings and family members of close contacts are not required to self-isolate however, they are asked to monitor for any signs or symptoms of COVID-19.

We remind parents/guardians of students, as well as any staff/visitors/volunteers to Elm Street School to monitor for any signs or symptoms of COVID-19. Please remember to complete the Alberta Daily Health Check each day prior to attending school.

Out of an abundance of caution and as we continue our focus on preventing the spread of COVID-19, we have directed our custodial services team to conduct enhanced cleaning protocols prior to the start of the school day tomorrow. This additional cleaning will focus on areas where the individual was present along with high touch areas and surfaces throughout the facility.

As a reminder, if you/your child has any of the symptoms of illness listed on the Alberta Health daily checklist, please fill out the online Alberta Health Services COVID-19 self-assessment or call Health Link at 811 and stay home/keep your child at home. We will continue to provide additional information to parents/guardians as it is available.

For more information about positive COVID-19 cases in school please read COVID-19 in Schools (k-12) setting.

The health and safety of our students and staff is our priority. We know this news can be distressing, rest assured that we will continue to work closely with Alberta Health Services and the Medical Officer of Health in the South Zone to ensure that we follow their ongoing recommendations.  Please connect with me mike.flieger@sd76.ab.ca or 403.526.3528 with your questions. Thank you for your continued support.