COVID-19 Close Contact at St. Michael's School

December 7, 2020: COVID-19 close contact at St. Michael's School

A COVID-19 close contact has been identified at St. Michael's School. MHCBE and school administration have been working closely with Alberta Health Services to ensure necessary measures are in place to protect all students and staff. Please note that this case was not due to in-school transmission.

Parents/guardians of students as well as any staff/visitors/volunteers who are considered close contacts have been contacted directly, and will be required to self-isolate as per AHS requirements. Alberta Health Services has indicated that all unaffected classes are permitted to continue.

We remind parents/guardians of students, as well as any staff/visitors/volunteers to monitor for any signs or symptoms of COVID-19. The Alberta Health Daily Checklists can be found at https://www.alberta.ca/covid-19-testing-in-alberta.aspx. Please remember to complete the checklist each day prior to attending school. As a reminder, if your child has any of the core symptoms listed on the Alberta Health Daily Checklist, please fill out the online Alberta Health Services COVID-19 Self-Assessment or call Health Link at 811 and keep your child at home.

We wish this individual a safe and healthy recovery and pray for all of those affected. It is important to remember kindness and empathy when dealing with positive COVID-19 cases and we ask that students, staff and families are compassionate.

As always, the health and safety of our students and staff is our number one priority. We are confident in the measures we have put in place and the quick response of school staff to notify families of students in close contact. We will continue to provide additional information to parents/guardians as it is available.

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December 8, 2020

We understand that families have questions regarding the isolation requirements directed by Alberta Health Services. Students and staff are still legally required to self-isolate from December 4, 2020 through December 18, 2020. AHS is further investigating this close contact case and more information will be shared promptly with you all once we receive it. You will be notified if there is a change in the required isolation period.

The Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education has been working closely with Alberta Health Services as they handle all measures regarding COVID-19. It is our number one priority to keep staff and students safe at school. In order to help contain potential spread, we have responded diligently to Alberta Health Services’ direction and will continue to follow the procedures presented to us.