By Chris Brown

Previous notices at schools

Duchess School moved to outbreak status, another case connected to Brooks high school

Nov 12, 2020 | 3:32 PM

Grasslands Public Schools has sent letters to parents and the school communities of two of its schools with updates on the COVID-19 situations there.

The division centred around Brooks says it learned Wednesday of a case of COVID-19 diagnosed in an individual who was last within Brooks Composite High School, Nov. 6.

“We are 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 with an AHS Close Contact letter. Public Health and the school work closely together to ensure accurate contact tracing. If you are not contacted or do not receive a letter from AHS, you and/or your children are not considered close contacts and no further action is required,” reads the letter.

The letter also states enhanced cleaning protocols are being maintained, with a focus on high touch areas and surfaces throughout the entire facility.

An outbreak was declared at the high school on Nov. 7.

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The school division also is advising that Duchess School has been moved to outbreak status. The school previously identified one case on Nov. 2.

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 Duchess School letter says “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.”