New cases of COVID-19 identified in LDSB schools

Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington (KFL&A) Public Health and the Limestone District School Board (LDSB) reported one new student case of COVID-19 at Odessa Public School and one new case of COVID-19 at Amherstview Public School on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, along with additional cases at two other schools with already declared active outbreaks.

At Amherstview Public School, the discovery has led to one class and two bus cohorts isolating. The school remains open. At Odessa Public School, one class and one bus cohort are now isolating. That school also remains open.

“We recognize that receiving this information may be stressful and we want to ensure you understand the process going forward. KFL&A Public Health and the school are taking all necessary steps to prevent further spread of the virus both in the school and the community,” the letters to school families read.

“KFL&A Public Health is working with the school to identify cohorts of students and staff who are affected by the positive cases. Not all students will be affected by this situation.”

Public Health provided the following information to the families:

What should you do?

• Continue to monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 and screen your student daily as most cases of COVID-19 are acquired in the home setting.
• It is not necessary to have your student tested at this time if they do not have symptoms of COVID-19. Testing now may lead to unnecessary or repeat testing.
• If anyone in your household has or develops symptoms of COVID-19, they must self-isolate and should book an appointment at an assessment centre for testing as soon as possible. It is required that all household members who are not fully vaccinated isolate until the person with symptoms receives a negative COVID-19 test result or an alternative diagnosis from a health care professional.
• If you receive an additional letter or are contacted by KFL&A Public Health, follow the guidance provided.
• If you do not receive an additional letter or call from the school or KFL&A Public Health, your student can continue going to school, if they pass the daily screening.

What will KFL&A Public Health do?

• Public Health Nurses will contact individuals who test positive for COVID-19 and will be in contact with the school.
• KFL&A Public Health will identify and contact all individuals (including students and staff) who had close contact with the person who tested positive.
• KFL&A Public Health will provide direction to close contacts and the school to protect students and staff and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

What will the school do?

• Provide KFL&A Public Health with contact information for identified individuals.
• Clean and disinfect all areas in the school where the exposure may have occurred.
• Work with KFL&A Public Health to develop a plan to protect all students and staff and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

On the same day, the LDSB and KFL&A Public Health also recorded two new student cases of COVID-19 at Perth Public School, as well as one student case and one “other” (neither staff nor student) case at Molly Brant Public School. There are currently 26 cases of COVID-19 within the LDSB. Cases within the LDSB community currently equate to approximately one third of all cases in KFL&A.