CHAT News File Photo

By Chris Brown

Schools remain open

COVID-19 alert issued for Redcliff’s Parkside junior high, Brooks high school

Oct 26, 2020 | 10:05 AM

Two schools in southeastern Alberta are alerting their school communities to COVID-19 cases connected to the schools.

Parkside Junior High School in Redcliff says a “positive case of COVID-19 has been diagnosed in an individual who is connected to the 8C class.”

Prairie Rose School Division Superintendent Roger Clarke confirmed the positive COVID-19 case involves a student at the school and it was not a staff member.

A total of eight staff and 13 students have been placed into quarantine.

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In a letter sent to CHAT News, PRSD says they learned of the positive case from Alberta Health Services on Sunday afternoon.

“We understand the individual was last in the school on the morning of Tuesday, October 20, 2020.”

“We spent some time yesterday on Sunday processing that particular case and so we didn’t find out” about the confirmed case until about 3 p.m. about the information, said Clarke at a media availability Monday.

A release from the division says parents and guardians of students as well as staff visitors and volunteers identified as having been in close contact with the individual have been contacted.

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.

Students required to self-isolate will be supported to learn at home.

“Learning will be accessible and flexible through a teacher provided online platform as students continue their education remotely during isolation period,” says the letter.

The school remains open to in-person learning and officials are ensuring necessary measures are in place to protect all students and staff.

Also on Monday, Grasslands Public Schools is alerting students, staff and the school community about a COVID-19 alert at Brooks Composite High School.

According to an Oct. 25 release from the division, “a case of COVID-19 has been diagnosed in an individual who was last within Brooks Composite High School, first thing in the morning, on October 19th.”

Based on the early Alberta Health Services investigation, a small number of close contacts have been identified and will be notified, says the release.

“Public Health and the school will work closely together to ensure accurate contact tracing. If you are not contacted by AHS, you and/or your children are not considered close contacts and no further action is required.”

The release goes on to say school will proceed as normal for Oct. 26 (today).

Statements from both divisions say enhanced cleaning protocols are in effect and are focusing on areas the cases were present, high touch areas and surfaces throughout the facilities.

The statements also remind families to monitor for any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 using the Alberta Health Daily Checklist and asks people to complete the checklist each day prior to attending school. They also ask that if you or a member of your family has any of the symptoms of illness listed, to fill out the online Alberta Health Services COVID-19 self-assessment or call Health Link at 811.

The website supportourstudents.ca, which is tracking instances of cases in schools across the province, has added Brooks Composite High School to its list. Tilley School was added to the list on Oct. 19.