COVID-19 outbreaks in Lethbridge schools

By Nikki Jamieson
Sunny South News

Three Holy Spirit schools in Lethbridge now have outbreaks of Covid-19.

Holy Spirit Catholic School Division first announced on Oct. 14 that there was an additional and separate case of COVID-19 at St. Francis Junior High School in Lethbridge. On Oct. 15, they announced that two other Lethbridge schools, Ecole St. Mary and St. Teresa of Calcutta School, also had outbreaks of COVID-19. According to the province’s school status map on Tuesday, Oct. 20, all three schools have an outbreak of two to four cases, but remain open. A fourth school in Lethbridge, Ecole La Verendrye, also has an outbreak status.

Accoridng to the Holy Spirit press release, Alberta Health Services has provided the necessary notice to the entire school community of the outbreak of two or more cases. Staff and students considered close contacts had already been informed so that they may isolate and follow the direction provided by AHS, and people are reminded that out of respect for those impacted and in accordance with AHS guidelines, they will not be disclosing any further details about members of the community who may test positive for COVID-19.

On Oct. 22, Holy Spirit announced they had been informed of additional cases of COVID-19 impacting two cohorts within Ecole St. Mary and St. Francis Junior High School. These cases are not the result of in-school transmission and are instead associated with cases outside of the school community. As of Oct. 22, the division has nine active cases across three school sites, requiring the isolation of 120 staff and students.

The division is working closely with AHS to ensure that all necessary measures are in place to protect students, staff, parents/guardians of students and any visitors or volunteers, and would like to remind people to monitor for any signs or symptoms of COVID-19, and the Alberta Health daily checklist should be completed each day prior to attending school. If symptoms of the illness listed on the Alberta Health daily checklist are identified, students and staff are asked to fill out the online Alberta Health Services COVID-19 self-assessment or call Health Link at 811 and stay home.

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