Image from bjhs.grasslands.ab.ca

By Chris Brown

Spreading in the division

Two more COVID-19 outbreaks in Grasslands Public Schools

Nov 3, 2020 | 9:45 AM

BROOKS, AB – More COVID-19 outbreaks are being reported by Grasslands Public Schools, which is centred around Brooks.

Letters were posted by AHS on Nov. 2 to parents of students at Brooks Junior High School and Bassano School advising of outbreaks at the schools.

A statement was also posted by the school division on Nov. 2 to the Duchess School community advising of a case of COVID-19 at that school.

A COVID-19 outbreak within a school setting is defined by AHS as “two or more confirmed cases occur in a school within a 14 day period.”

The letters to Brooks Junior High and Bassano parents both state that the risk of the general population in the school becoming infected because of these cases is low.

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“If staff or students have been identified as a close contact of a confirmed COVID-19 case, Public Health will contact them for follow-up. If staff or students have not been identified as a close contact of a confirmed COVID-19 case but develop symptoms as listed on the daily screening tool, please self-isolate at home and complete the online assessment tool or call Health Link at 811 as soon as possible to arrange for COVID-19 testing. If you or your child require medical attention, please call ahead to your health care provider or call Health Link at 811 to help guide you to the right care provider and make appropriate arrangements to care for yourself or your child safely.”

The letter regarding Duchess School says the diagnosed individual was last at the school on Oct. 29. and says the school is working closely with Alberta Health Services to ensure necessary measures are in place to protect all students and staff.

“From the AHS investigation to date, a number of close contacts have been identified and will be notified. 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.”

Enhanced cleaning protocols are being maintained, with a focus on high touch areas and surfaces throughout the entire facility.

It also reminds 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. It also asks 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.

Last week an outbreak was declared at Eastbrook Elementary School in Brooks and at Rosemary School, also in the Grasslands division.

A COVID-19 case was connected to Brooks Composite High School last week. In total, six of the division’s 14 schools have had COVID-19 cases since Oct. 25.

Brooks was a hotpsot for the virus earlier this year, with more than 1,000 active cases in the spring. There are 36 active cases as of Friday, the latest update from the province.