Update on positive cases of COVID-19 at Amherstview PS
Update (Tuesday, Apr. 13, 2021):
According to a press release from the Limestone District School Board (LDSB), further investigation by Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington (KFL&A) Public Health has found that no further risk to the larger school population.
The Tuesday, Apr. 13, 2021 press release indicated that students in the Grade 2 French Immersion class and the Grade 3/4 French Immersion class and their household members, as well as staff who have been identified as high-risk contacts and their household members, must continue to isolate and follow the direction of KFL&A Public Health.
Students who are not in the Grade 2 French Immersion class or the Grade 3/4 French Immersion class, and are not a sibling of someone in one of these classrooms, no longer needs to self-isolate.
“Everyone should 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 board said.
“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,” the press release continued.
“If you have been contacted directly by KFL&A Public Health, please continue to follow the directions provided.”
Original article:
On Sunday, Apr. 11, 2021, the Limestone District School Board confirmed multiple positive cases of COVID-19 associated with Amherstview Public School. Due to the nature of the cases, an outbreak has not been declared at this time.
“KFL&A Public Health has been notified that two students at Amherstview Public School tested positive for COVID-19 on Apr. 11, 2021,” the school board said in a statement. “This is not considered an outbreak as the two cases were not transmitted at school.”
The LDSB says that affected class cohorts are a Grade 2 French Immersion class and a Grade 3/4 French Immersion class. Those cohorts have received specific instructions for next steps, said the school board.
“COVID-19 Variants of Concern (VOC) are now in our community and can spread more easily and additional precautions are required to help reduce spread,” the school board continued. “As a result, everyone who attended or worked at Amherstview PS on April 7 and April 8, 2021 must self-isolate until they hear otherwise. KFL&A Public Health will send more messaging after additional investigation has been done.”
The school board says that all members of the school community have now been notified and have been provided with direction from Public Health. “KFL&A Public Health is working with the school to identify cohorts of students and staff who may be at risk of COVID-19 from this exposure. Not all students will be affected by this situation,” the school board said.
According to LDSB, KFL&A Public Health, the schools and board are taking all necessary steps to prevent further spread of the virus both in the school and the community. “Everyone should continue to monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 and screen students daily as most cases of COVID-19 are acquired in the home setting,” the board said.