Positive case ‘poses no danger’: Holy Cross Secondary School

An individual from Holy Cross Secondary School has tested positive for COVID-19 but the school says that the circumstances surrounding the case mean that there is no danger to students or staff.

“It has been determined that this case poses no risk to students or staff. As such, no cohorts will be required to isolate at this time and the school will remain open,” the school and KFL&A Public Health said in an email to the school community.

Holy Cross and KFL&A Public Health say that instances when a positive case in a school poses no risk to the school include:
• The case is learning or teaching virtually and has not been in the school.
• The case was already isolating and not attending school because they were previously identified as a close contact of a case.
• The case was not present at the school when they were infectious.

KFL&A Public Health says it works closely with schools to ensure that necessary steps are taken to prevent further spread of the virus both in the school and the community.

Since cases in schools must be reported both locally and provincially, KFL&A Public Health is sharing information surrounding the circumstances of the positive case to ensure dissemination of accurate information. For privacy reasons, the school did not provide any further information, including whether the case was a staff member or student.

“We encourage you to 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,” the school and KFL&A Public Health said in the joint email. “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 isolate until the person with symptoms receives a negative COVID-19 test result or an alternative diagnosis from a health care professional. Please continue to follow all public health guidelines which include maintaining physical distance, wearing face coverings, and cleaning your hands frequently.”